THE RUNNING CLUB EFFECT: A SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL MODULATOR FOR THE RUNNING-RELATED INJURIES IN AMATEUR BRAZILIAN RUNNERS
Abstract
Musculoskeletal injuries are prevalent among amateur runners, and although traditionally attributed to external training overload, evidence suggests that social, behavioral, and organizational factors may influence actual exposure to exertion. This study investigated the association between participation in running clubs and injury risk, considering traditional training load variables and systemic interactions between training components. This cross-sectional study included 97 runners, from whom sociodemographic data, training characteristics, and self-reported injury history in the previous year were collected. Running club participation showed the largest magnitude of association with injury occurrence (OR = 3.09; 95% CI 0.99–9.68), with borderline statistical significance (p = 0.053), while traditional load variables were not independently associated with the outcome. Mediation analysis indicated that training load did not mediate the relationship between club participation and injury occurrence. Network analysis revealed greater structural instability among variables related to load, competition participation, and age in the injured group, with participation in running clubs emerging as a central node in the network. Participation in running clubs showed an association with injury occurrence in recreational runners, while training load variables were not independently related to the outcome. These results should be interpreted cautiously due to the cross-sectional design.
Author Biographies
Physiotherapy undergraduate student, State University of Pará (UEPA).
Physiotherapy undergraduate student, State University of Pará (UEPA).
Institute of Primary Care, Switzerland, and Medbase St. Gallen Am Vadianplatz, St. Gallen, Switzerland.Physician, PhD in Medicine, University of Zurich.
Physiotherapist, Specialist in Orthopedic and Traumatology Physiotherapy, COFFITO.
Physiotherapist, PhD in Biology of Infectious and Parasitic Agents, Federal University of Pará (UFPA).
Physical Education Professional, PhD in Sport Sciences, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Portugal.
Physiotherapist, MSc in Health, Society and Endemics in the Amazon, Federal University of Amazonas (UFAM).
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