Reasons and predictors of discontinuation of running after a running program for novice runners. Issue 1 (January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fokkema, Tryntsje; Hartgens, Fred; Kluitenberg, Bas; Verhagen, Evert; Backx, Frank J.G.; van der Worp, Henk; Bierma-Zeinstra, Sita M.A.; Koes, Bart W; van Middelkoop, Marienke
• Is Part Of: Journal of science and medicine in sport. Volume 22:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 106
• Page End: 111
• Publication Date: 2019-01
• Subjects: Drop-out -- Healthy lifestyle -- Sedentary lifestyle -- Start to Run -- Exercise -- Physical fitness; Sports sciences -- Periodicals; Sports medicine -- Periodicals; Exercise -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Sports -- physiology -- Periodicals; Sports Medicine -- Periodicals; Sportgeneeskunde; 617.102705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2018.06.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1440-2440

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: To determine the proportion of participants of a running program for novice runners that discontinued running and investigate the main reasons to discontinue and characteristics associated with discontinuation. Design: Prospective cohort study. Methods: The study included 774 participants of Start to Run, a 6-week running program for novice runners. Before the start of the program, participants filled-in a baseline questionnaire to collect information on demographics, physical activity and perceived health. The 26-weeks follow-up questionnaire was used to obtain information on the continuation of running (yes/no) and main reasons for discontinuation. To determine predictors for discontinuation of running, multivariable logistic regression was performed. Results: Within 26 weeks after the start of the 6-week running program, 29.5% of the novice runners (n = 225) had stopped running. The main reason for discontinuation was a running-related injury (n = 108, 48%). Being female (OR 1.74; 95% CI 1.13–2.68), being unsure about the continuation of running after the program (OR 2.06; 95% CI 1.31–3.24) and (almost) no alcohol use (OR 1.62; 95%CI 1.11–2.37) were associated with a higher chance of discontinuation of running. Previous running experience less than one year previously (OR 0.46; 95% CI 0.26–0.83) and a higher score on the RAND-36 subscale physical functioning (OR 0.98; 95% CI 0.96–0.99) were associated with a lower chance of discontinuation. Conclusions: In this group of novice runners, almost one-third stopped running within six months. A running-related injury was the main reason to stop running. Women with a low perceived physical functioning and without running experience were prone to discontinue running.