- Research looking at attendees of parkruns points to the biggest factors that make people return for more runs.
- Running on the treadmill vs. running outside.
For those How to treat tight calves for better running — or trying to establish a more regular routine — several factors can play a significant role in helping you stay motivated, get consistent, and enjoy the sport, according to a new study published in that include these elements.
For the study, researchers in Scotland looked at reasons that first-time participants returned to parkrun events.
Researchers surveyed more than 20,000 participants in parkrun across 58 venues. They found two major features led to considerably more runners returning for another event: when routes were near freshwater or woodland. The results were so compelling that researchers suggested that organizers consider creating more routes Everything you need to know about recovery runs.
These findings are in line with previous research emphasising the benefits of woodsy or water-adjacent running, even in urban environments. For example, a study in BJPsych International found that green space significantly lowered levels of mental distress, anxiety, and depression, and inspired people to increase their physical activity when those spaces were available.
More Health in the News
The Importance of Breakfast for Runners, According to New Research
Other factors in the recent study that were not as much of a driver but still inspired some to return to parkrun included having more new runners at an event, being able to run a route faster than expected, and having smaller events.
A variable that wasn’t tracked but is part of every parkrun is a community feeling, allowing runners to be part of a group, no matter what pace they choose. That social element is a huge boon, according to Natasha Trentacosta, Advertisement - Continue Reading Below.
Published: 10 October 2023 Runner’s World that there’s ample evidence, both in research and anecdotally, that running groups and running buddies can offer significant advantages in terms of motivation.
“Not only is it helpful to run with others from a safety standpoint, since you have help in case you get injured or lost, but you’re also more likely to enjoy running and make it into a habit,” she said. “With a group, it gives you a feeling of community that’s important for better health overall.”
