The NLstart2run study: Economic burden of running-related injuries in novice runners participating in a novice running program

Luiz C. Hespanhol Junior, Bionka M A Huisstede, Dirk Wouter Smits, Bas Kluitenberg*, Henk van der Worp, Marienke van Middelkoop, Fred Hartgens, Evert Verhagen

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

    Abstract

    Objectives

    To investigate the economic burden of running-related injuries (RRI) occurred during the 6-week ‘Start-to-Run’ program of the Dutch Athletics Federation in 2013.

    Design

    Prospective cohort study.

    Methods

    This was a monetary cost analysis using the data prospectively gathered alongside the RRI registration in the NLstart2run study. RRI data were collected weekly. Cost diaries were applied two and six weeks after the RRI registration to collect data regarding healthcare utilisation (direct costs) and absenteeism from paid and unpaid work (indirect costs). RRI was defined as running-related pain that hampered running ability for three consecutive training sessions.

    Results

    From the 1696 participants included in the analysis, 185 reported a total of 272 RRIs. A total of 26.1% of the cost data (71 RRIs reported by 50 participants) were missing. Therefore, a multiple imputation procedure was performed. The economic burden (direct plus indirect costs) of RRIs was estimated at €83.22 (95% CI €50.42–€116.02) per RRI, and €13.35 (95% CI €7.07–€19.63) per participant. The direct cost per RRI was €56.93 (95% CI €42.05–€71.81) and the indirect cost per RRI was €26.29 (95% CI €0.00–€54.79). The indirect cost was higher for sudden onset RRIs than for gradual onset RRIs, with a mean difference of €33.92 (95% CI €17.96–€49.87).

    Conclusions

    Direct costs of RRIs were 2-fold higher than the indirect costs, and sudden onset RRIs presented higher costs than gradual onset RRIs. The results of this study are important to provide information to public health agencies and policymakers about the economic burden of RRIs in novice runners.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)800–804
    JournalJournal of Science and Medicine in Sport
    Volume19
    Issue number10
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Oct 2016

    Keywords

    • Sports injury
    • Epidemiology
    • Cohort studies
    • Epidemiological monitoring
    • Costs and cost analysisa

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