Relationship between injuries and motivation in recreational runners

Introduction: In recent years, running has become a popular form of recreational sports activity for adults. This study explores the relationships between motivation and injury among recreational runners, a growing population influenced by societal trends in health and wellness. Methods: The study involved 104 participants, consisting of 74 women and 75 men. Among them, 67 were part of a ‘running school’ program, while the remaining 73 were individual runners who trained independently without the guidance of a coach. The Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ-2) and the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center (OSTRC) Questionnaire on Health Problems, which is based on the OSTRC Overuse Injury Questionnaire, were used for the research. Results: The study found that pelvic injury was more severe in male participants, while women tended to experience serious back injuries that required them to take a break from training. All participants demonstrated high levels of intrinsic motivation. Multiple regression analysis revealed a positive correlation between injuries and intrinsic motivation in women, whereas in men, there was a negative correlation with introjected regulation. Conclusion: The ‘running school’ participants showed a negative association between injury and external regulation compared to individual runners, where amotivation and injury were positively associated.