Exploring the use of digital technology for injury prevention and self-management among recreational runners.

OBJECTIVES

Explore digital technology use among recreational runners in Wales and assess attitudes toward a proposed digital intervention for running-related injury (RRI) prevention and self-management.

DESIGN

Exploratory survey.

SETTING

Online questionnaire, closed questions distributed to runners over a 7 week period.

PARTICIPANTS

Recreational runners living in Wales (N = 232).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Data analysed descriptively. Inferential analysis conducted via IBM SPSS v25. Pearson's Chi square and logistic regression applied to assess effects of age, sex, and weekly mileage on technology use.

RESULTS

97% of participants reported using digital technology to monitor training, primarily through running watches (45.1%) and smartphone apps (37.6%). Pearson's chi square indicated that younger (18-24 years) and less experienced runners (3 months-2 years) were more likely to use multiple apps. Runners felt these technologies did not offer realistic advice for RRI prevention or self-management. Most runners (84.5%) were interested in the proposed intervention. Runners wanted to see injury advice, exercises to improve running and a diagnostic feature within the proposed intervention.

CONCLUSION

Digital technologies are widely used by recreational runners but are not perceived as useful for injury prevention/self-management. There is therefore an opportunity to develop tailored, evidence-based digital interventions for RRI prevention and self-management.