We’ve looked at why people run, what motivated them to start, and what goes through their mind whilst running. But what about their bodies? Mental rewards, fun, and stress-relief may well be highly motivating factors, but for the most part, it’s all about the body: getting fit, losing weight, doctor’s orders, and improving performance for other sports. These are the advantages of running. But there are disadvantages too: physical ones. So what do European runners do to prevent injuries that come with running? What do they blame these injuries on? And where do they hurt?
Twenty-two percent of Belgian runners never taking precautions against running, and just over a third are currently suffering from a running injury. With 39%, they are the highest-ranking nation to suffer from knee injuries. Their preferred preventative measure is stretching (72%), and, more than any country, they blame running with a chronic injury to be the cause of their injures (20%).