Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-5-2026
Abstract
Background/Objectives
Running is a popular form of physical activity, but its growing participation has been accompanied by high rates of injury that may limit ongoing engagement, particularly in older runners. This study explored differences in running participation limitation, injury location, and training characteristics between young (18–34 years) and master (>35 years) runners.
Methods
A total of 207 runners (105 young, 102 master) completed an online survey assessing demographics, training habits, and injury-related participation limitations using the updated Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center Overuse Injury Questionnaire.
Results
Master runners reported higher rates of injury-related participation limitation than young runners (51% vs. 34%, p = 0.04) and more upper extremity injuries (p < 0.01). They also had longer running histories, higher weekly mileage, and longer training durations (p < 0.05). Among master runners, increased odds of running participation limitation were associated with smoking [Odds Ratio (OR)=1.89], running on gravel/pebbled surfaces (OR=1.10), and owning more pairs of running shoes (OR=1.02), with no protective factors identified. Among young runners, reduced odds of running participation limitation were associated with running on off-road tracks (OR=0.68), having a running coach (OR=0.70), wearing shoes with special features (OR=0.75), and training on multiple surfaces (OR=0.79), while slightly increased odds were associated with longer average training sessions (OR=1.04) and running on grass (OR=1.08).
Conclusion
These findings highlight the high prevalence of running participation limitations, particularly in master runners, and support the need for age-specific training and injury prevention strategies.
Implications
Different age groups of runners may benefit from tailored risk mitigation strategies: young runners may benefit from coach-guided training, appropriate footwear selection, and varied training surfaces, while avoiding unnecessarily long sessions. For master runners, emphasis may be placed on screening for modifiable health risks (e.g., smoking), careful management of training load and surface exposure, and addressing upper-extremity complaints, given their higher prevalence of participation limitation.
Recommended Citation
Berns R, Smith JA, Sánchez N, Jeffcoat S, Sigward S, Hooyman A, et al. (2026) Variation in prevalence of participation limitation, injury location, and training habits between young and master runners: A crosssectional study. PLoS One 21(5): e0346973. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0346973
Peer Reviewed
1
Copyright
The authors
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Comments
This article was originally published in PLoS One, volume 21, issue 5, in 2026. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0346973