Development and Validation of a Retrospective Injury Questionnaire for Elite Indian Runners

A bstract Context: Running has become an increasingly popular sport in India. Elite athletes, compared with novice or recreational runners, are more susceptible to injuries. A questionnaire to capture real-time injury data and associated risk factors is essential. This study aimed to develop and validate a questionnaire to document injuries among elite Indian runners. Aims: To develop, validate, and examine the internal consistency of a questionnaire that records injury occurrence, its impact, and healthcare utilization among elite Indian running athletes. Materials and Methods: An initial draft with 126 items was created following a comprehensive literature review. A Delphi panel of 10 experts reviewed the content in two rounds. The finalized 125-item questionnaire was then administered to 50 elite runners aged 15 to 35 years. The collected data was compiled, coded, and analyzed for internal consistency. Statistical Analysis Used: Validation was conducted through a Delphi expert panel review. Internal consistency was tested using Cronbach α on the dataset. Results: The final validated 125-item questionnaire achieved a Cronbach α of 0.812, indicating acceptable reliability. Conclusions: The questionnaire is a valid and reliable tool for surveying injuries among Indian runners.