Run Healthy, Run Strong: The development of a digital running-related injury prevention and self-management intervention

Walker, Kathleen 2024. Run Healthy, Run Strong: The development of a digital running-related injury prevention and self-management intervention. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

Running is a popular physical activity that has been shown to have benefits to both physical and mental health. However, with the increase in the popularity of running there has also been an increase in the number of running-related injuries (RRI). Therefore, it is important to develop interventions which can help runners prevent and self-manage their injuries, to prevent time off running and maintain health benefits gained from running. Using guidance provided by the Medical Research Council (MRC) framework for the development and evaluation of complex interventions, this project aimed to develop a RRI prevention and self-management intervention for recreational runners. The project was split into phases: Phase 1: a scoping review of the available evidence for existing RRI prevention and self-management interventions. Phase 2: data collection from recreational runners in the form of a quantitative survey and qualitative focus groups to explore what runners want to see in the proposed intervention. Phase 3: qualitative data collection from other stakeholders: focus groups with practitioners who advise recreational runners on RRI prevention and management and interviews with Run Leaders who lead running groups and interact with recreational runners, to explore their views on the proposed intervention. The findings show that there is currently a lack of existing RRI prevention and self-management interventions developed using intervention development frameworks. Those that have been developed include very little involvement of stakeholders and potential end-users of the interventions. The findings show that all participants are in favour of the proposed intervention, with participants demonstrating preference for a smartphone-based application that can provide exercise programmes, advice on the most common injuries and advice on when to see a health care professional. Participants expressed concerns regarding risks of the intervention, such as misdiagnosis or misinterpretation of information. The development of any future intervention should consider these findings.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Date Type:	Completion
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Healthcare Sciences
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	23 April 2024
Last Modified:	23 Apr 2024 08:39
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/168209

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