Performance goals of runners are associated with the occurrence of running-related injuries.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between running performance goals and running-related injuries (RRIs). Retrospective cross-sectional study. A total of 970 recreational runners filled in an online questionnaire to collect data on personal characteristics, their running activities, RRIs, and running goals. 970 recreational runners, 1) without a running performance goal, who 2) trained to complete a certain distance, and who 3) trained to complete a certain distance and to participate in a specific running event. RRI, defined as any physical complaint developed during running in the previous 12 months. A statistically significant relationship was found between runners who trained for a specific running event and who also wanted to run a certain distance (OR 2.0, 95%CI 1.23-2.98) compared with runners without a running goal. (Hinder from a) Previous injury (OR 3.9, 95%CI 2.79-5.42), overweight (OR 1.6, 95%CI 1.10-2.21), and training for more than 22.5 h/year (OR 1.7, 95%CI 1.04-2.72 and OR 2.3, 95%CI 1.42-3.81) were also associated with RRIs. Running to achieve running goals, specifically running to complete a certain distance and to participate in an event, is associated with the occurrence of an RRI.

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Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no competing interests.