TY - JOUR T1 - ‘I JUST WANT TO RUN’: how recreational runners perceive and deal with injuries JF - BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine JO - BMJ OPEN SP EX MED DO - 10.1136/bmjsem-2021-001117 VL - 7 IS - 3 SP - e001117 AU - Evert Verhagen AU - Marit Warsen AU - Caroline Silveira Bolling Y1 - 2021/09/01 UR - http://bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/7/3/e001117.abstract N2 - Running injuries impact the health gains achieved through running and are linked to drop-out from this otherwise healthy activity. The need for effective prevention is apparent, however, implementation of preventive measures implies a change in runners’ behaviour. This exploratory qualitative study aimed to explore Dutch recreational runners’ perception on injuries, injury occurrence and prevention. An interpretative paradigm underpins this study. We conducted 12 individual semistructured interviews with male (n=6) and female runners (n=6). Through a constant comparative data analysis, we developed a conceptual model to illustrate the final product of the analysis and represent the main themes’ connection. We present a framework that describes the pathway from load to injury and the self-regulatory process controlling this pathway. Runners mentioned that pain is not necessarily an injury, and they usually continue running. Once complaints become unmanageable and limit the runner’s ability to participate, an injury was perceived. Based on our outcomes, we recommend that preventive strategies focus on the self-regulation by which runners manage their complaints and injuries—providing information, advice and programmes that support the runner to make well-informed, effective decisions.Data are available on reasonable request. The dataset analyzed during the current study is available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. ER -