Prehabilitation for Recreational Runners: Motivators, Influencers, and Barriers to Injury Prevention Strategies for Running-Related Injury.

This qualitative study explored why recreational runners attended a 'prehab for runners' workshop and what helped or hindered their engagement with injury prevention strategies. Twenty-two runners took part in one of four focus groups, which were recorded, transcribed, and analysed using Grounded Theory to identify themes. Four themes emerged. Participation was often driven by previous injury and fear of having to stop running, with repeated contact with a physiotherapist over four weeks valued.

Runners appreciated clarification of exercises and non-exercise advice like load management and pain monitoring, and found single-leg balance exercises harder than expected. A structured but flexible approach that allowed self-selection of exercises, delivered in small groups, was described as empowering. Barriers included personal responsibility, equipment, time, lack of supervision, and peer influence.

As a qualitative study, these findings describe participants' experiences and cannot establish whether prehab programs actually reduce injury.

This study asked 22 recreational runners about their experiences attending a 'prehab' workshop designed to help prevent running injuries. Researchers ran four focus group discussions, recorded and analysed what participants said, to understand their motivations, understanding, and difficulties with these prevention strategies. Runners described joining mainly because of past injuries or worry about needing to stop running, and they valued seeing the same physiotherapist across several sessions.

They found the exercises and advice helpful, especially tips about managing training load and monitoring pain, though some balance exercises were harder than expected. People felt more confident when they could adapt exercises to their own needs in small, supportive groups.

However, things like lack of time, equipment, supervision, and influence from other runners made it harder to keep doing the exercises regularly. This study only describes what these particular runners experienced and said in discussion groups. It does not tell us whether the prehab program actually prevented injuries, since that wasn't what was measured.

This is a summary of research, not medical advice. Talk to your own healthcare provider about anything affecting your care.

This Grounded Theory study used four focus groups with 22 recreational runners attending a prehab workshop to explore motivators, understanding, and barriers around injury prevention engagement. Analysis generated four themes: participation drivers (prior injury, fear of stopping running, repeated contact with a physiotherapist), comprehension and appreciation of both exercise and non-exercise content (load management, pain monitoring, running cues), empowerment through autonomy and small-group discussion, and barriers including personal responsibility, equipment, time, supervision, and peer influence. As qualitative research, these findings offer insight into acceptability and implementation considerations for prehab programs rather than evidence of injury-reduction effectiveness.

The sample was self-selected from workshop attendees, which may limit transferability to runners less inclined to seek such interventions. No outcome data on injury incidence, adherence rates, or program effectiveness were reported, and the findings should not be interpreted as demonstrating that structured, autonomy-supportive, group-based prehab reduces running-related injury.

The themes may usefully inform how such programs are designed and communicated, but causal or effectiveness claims are beyond the scope of this study design.