School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, United Kingdom.
National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine East Midlands, Loughborough University, Loughborough, United Kingdom.
Behav Med. 2024 Jan-Mar;50(1):55-62. doi: 10.1080/08964289.2022.2100865. Epub 2022 Aug 12.
Running is an example of vigorous activity that leads to important health benefits if maintained. Beginner running groups provide supportive training programs to help people progress from walking to sustained running. This study explored the characteristics of individuals joining beginner running groups and the outcomes they achieve. New members of beginner running groups (n = 141; mean age 43 years, 122 female) completed online assessments at the start of their group program with 63 participants (45%) also completing a follow-up assessment at the end of the program. Validated scales were used to assess exercise behavior, mental wellbeing, self-efficacy, running identity and social physique anxiety. The majority of participants had low exercise levels at the start of the program (63%, n = 89). By the program end, 47 participants (75% of those completing the follow-up assessment) reported meeting the training goal (running for 30 minutes continuously) with self-efficacy, program adherence and younger age representing significant predictors of success. Significant improvements in exercise levels, mental wellbeing, self-efficacy, running identity and social physique anxiety were observed by the end of the program. In conclusion, beginner running programs attract low active individuals and may lead to improved levels of exercise and psychological outcomes. Additional research is needed to examine the extent to which improvements are sustained longer term.
跑步是一种剧烈运动的例子，如果坚持进行，会对健康有重要的益处。初级跑步团体提供支持性的训练计划，帮助人们从步行过渡到持续的跑步。本研究探讨了加入初级跑步团体的个体的特征以及他们取得的成果。初级跑步团体的新成员（n=141；平均年龄 43 岁，122 名女性）在团体项目开始时完成了在线评估，其中 63 名参与者（45%）还在项目结束时完成了后续评估。使用经过验证的量表评估运动行为、心理健康、自我效能感、跑步身份和社交身体焦虑。大多数参与者在项目开始时的运动水平较低（63%，n=89）。到项目结束时，47 名参与者（完成后续评估的参与者的 75%）报告达到了训练目标（连续跑步 30 分钟），自我效能感、计划依从性和年龄较小是成功的重要预测因素。在项目结束时，观察到运动水平、心理健康、自我效能感、跑步身份和社交身体焦虑显著改善。总之，初级跑步项目吸引了低活跃的个体，并可能导致运动和心理结果的改善。需要进一步的研究来检验改善在更长期内的持续程度。
