Influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on running behaviors, motives, and running-related injury: A one-year follow-up survey

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare running behaviors, motives, and injury during the first full year of the pandemic compared to the year prior, and month of eased restrictions. 466 runners responded to this follow-up survey. Paired t-tests were used to compare timepoints. Logistic regressions were used to assess demographic influences on behaviors. During the first full year of the pandemic, runners were more likely to increase their weekly runs (Mean Differences [MD]: 0.29±0.10, p < .001), yet had fewer motives (MD: -0.20±0.06, p = .02) compared to the month of eased restrictions. 18–25-year-olds were most likely to increase running volume (Odds Ratio [OR]: 2.79 [1.06, 7.32], p = .04) during the first full year of the pandemic compared to the year prior. Inexperienced runners reported fewer motives (OR: 3.00–4.41, p = .02-.04), and reduced sustained runs (OR: 2.36 [1.13, 4.96], p = .02) during the first full year of the pandemic compared to the year prior. Inexperienced runners and runners who lost access to preferred locations were at increased injury risk (OR: 1.98–2.63, p: .01-.04) during the first full year of the pandemic compared to the year prior. Our findings highlight pandemic-related changes among the running community that are likely to influence behaviors and injury risk.

Exploring the Relationship between Running-Related Technology Use and Running-Related Injuries: A Cross-Sectional Study of Recreational and Elite Long-Distance Runners

“…Specifically, running is consistently in the top five most popular activities, with participation rates ranging from 7.9 to 13.3 percent globally across the six World Health Organization (WHO) regions [ 2 ]. The high participation rates may be attributed to the accessibility of running, given its low cost, small learning curve, and minimal equipment or experience required to start [ 2 , 3 ]. Given the social distancing mandates and several fitness facility closures, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a rise in running as a form of exercise in both novice and experienced runners [ 3 , 4 , 5 ].…”

“…The high participation rates may be attributed to the accessibility of running, given its low cost, small learning curve, and minimal equipment or experience required to start [ 2 , 3 ]. Given the social distancing mandates and several fitness facility closures, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a rise in running as a form of exercise in both novice and experienced runners [ 3 , 4 , 5 ].…”

Trends in concussion mechanism of injury during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…During the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic, physicians and providers observed changes in the mechanisms of injury (MOI) for patients and visit volumes. Many studies have examined changes in behavior due to lockdown procedures and their impact on public health secondary to the spread of COVID-19 throughout the world [ 5 , [7] , [8] , [9] , [10] , [11] , [12] , [13] ]. In the first half of 2020, there was an overall decline in physical activity in children, especially for those who lived in apartments and urban areas [ 7 ].…”

“…In the first half of 2020, there was an overall decline in physical activity in children, especially for those who lived in apartments and urban areas [ 7 ]. Participation in individual sports such as running and biking increased during COVID-19 [ 8 , 14 ]. Other factors that may have changed concussion MOI in NYC include trends in domestic violence, crime, and civil unrest [ 15 , 16 ].…”

Outpatient Runners Clinic Visit Trends and Injury Characteristics Among 392 Child and Adolescent Patients: A 10-year Chart Review

“…We anticipated that the number of patients and clinic visits would steadily increase from 2011 to 2021, given current youth running participation trends and RRI trends from previous assessments both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. 1,10,11,14 We additionally expected that most of the injuries would be classified as repetitive stress injuries, specifically bone stress injuries of the lower extremity, based on previous studies. 4,7…”