The psychology of running injuries: how obsessive passion and perfectionism can lead to overtraining and running through pain, causing more injuries
- People who are obsessive or too perfectionist about their running are more likely to suffer injuries to their knee, foot or lower leg, according to a new study
- Preventive measures include being realistic about your physical limits and expectations, and listening to your body. Don’t put performance over health
People with an obsessive passion for running who seek extreme perfectionism are more likely to be injured, according to a new study.
A survey of 143 recreational runners with an average age of 35 measured running related injuries against a series of physical and psychological factors. These included weekly running distance, foot type, running style, passion, mental toughness and perfectionism.
Conducted over six months, the researchers at Shahrood University of Technology in Iran found knee injury was most common, followed by injuries to the foot and lower leg.
While higher obsessive passion and concern for perfectionism were associated with a greater risk of injury, so were weekly running distance and having had a previous injury.
Researchers were particularly keen to understand the psychological factors related to running injuries to help runners prevent injury.
