title: The NLstart2run study: health effects of a running promotion program in novice runners, design of a prospective cohort study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Running is associated with desirable lifestyle changes. Therefore several initiatives have been undertaken to promote running. Exact data on the health effects as a result of participating in a short-term running promotion program, however, is scarce. One important reason for dropout from a running program is a running-related injury (RRI). The incidence of RRIs is high, especially in novice runners. Several studies examined potential risk factors for RRIs, however, due to the often underpowered studies it is not possible to reveal the complex mechanism leading to an RRI yet.The primary objectives are to determine short- and long-term health effects of a nationwide "Start to Run" program and to identify determinants for RRIs in novice runners. Secondary objectives include examining reasons and determinants for dropout, medical consumption and economical consequences of RRIs as a result of a running promotion program.
  
  
  METHODS
  The NLstart2run study is a multi-center prospective cohort study with a follow-up at 6, 12, 24 and 52 weeks. All participants that sign up for the Start to Run program in 2013, which is offered by the Dutch Athletics Federation, will be asked to participate in the study.During the running program a digital running log will be completed by the participants every week to administer exposure and running related pain. After the running program the log will be completed every second week. An RRI is defined as any musculoskeletal ailment of the lower extremity or back that the participant attributed to running and hampers running ability for at least one week.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The NLstart2run study will provide insight into the short- and long-term health effects as a result of a short-term running promotion program. Reasons and determinants for dropout from a running promotion program will be examined as well. The study will result in several leads for future RRI prevention and as a result minimize dropout due to injury. This information may increase the effectiveness of future running promotion programs and will thereby contribute positively to public health.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The Netherlands National Trial Register NTR3676. The NTR is part of the WHO Primary Registries.
authors.affiliation: Center for Sports Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands. b.kluitenberg@umcg.nl.
authors.forename: Bas
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kluitenberg
authors.forename: Marienke
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van Middelkoop
authors.forename: Ron L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Diercks
authors.forename: Fred
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hartgens
authors.forename: Evert
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Verhagen
authors.forename: Dirk-Wouter
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Smits
authors.forename: Ida
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Buist
authors.forename: Henk
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: van der Worp
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006262:Health; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012420:Running
references.citation: J Clin Epidemiol. 2012 Jan;65(1):73-81
references.pmid: 21840174
references.citation: Circulation. 1998 Jun 9;97(22):2283-93
references.pmid: 9631884
references.citation: J Health Soc Behav. 1978 Mar;19(1):2-21
references.pmid: 649936
references.citation: J Sci Med Sport. 2006 May;9(1-2):3-9; discussion 10
references.pmid: 16616614
references.citation: Health Econ. 1993 Oct;2(3):217-27
references.pmid: 8275167
references.citation: Br J Sports Med. 2012 Sep;46(12):865-70
references.pmid: 22842237
references.citation: Br J Sports Med. 2003;37(5):384-92
references.pmid: 14514527
references.citation: BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2007 Mar 02;8:24
references.pmid: 17331264
references.citation: J Sci Med Sport. 2013 May;16(3):205-10
references.pmid: 22921763
references.citation: Am J Sports Med. 2008 Jan;36(1):33-9
references.pmid: 17940147
references.citation: Br J Sports Med. 2005 Jun;39(6):324-9
references.pmid: 15911600
references.citation: J Sports Sci. 2002 Nov;20(11):873-99
references.pmid: 12430990
references.citation: J Clin Epidemiol. 1996 Dec;49(12):1373-9
references.pmid: 8970487
references.citation: Clin J Sport Med. 2007 Jan;17(1):25-30
references.pmid: 17304002
references.citation: Schweiz Z Sportmed. 1991 Sep;39(3):125-31
references.pmid: 1925487
references.citation: Br J Sports Med. 2010 Jun;44(8):598-604
references.pmid: 18487252
references.citation: Prev Med. 1992 Mar;21(2):237-51
references.pmid: 1579558
references.citation: Br J Sports Med. 2013 May;47(8):495-502
references.pmid: 23038786
references.citation: Am J Sports Med. 2010 Feb;38(2):273-80
references.pmid: 19966104
references.citation: Tijdschr Gerontol Geriatr. 2008 Feb;39(1):4-15
references.pmid: 18365511
references.citation: JAMA. 1982 Dec 17;248(23):3118-21
references.pmid: 7143687
references.citation: BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2010 Sep 01;11:196
references.pmid: 20809930
references.citation: Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2008 Dec;18(6):691-7
references.pmid: 18266787
references.citation: J Clin Epidemiol. 2003 Dec;56(12):1163-9
references.pmid: 14680666
references.citation: Int J Epidemiol. 2011 Oct;40(5):1382-400
references.pmid: 22039197
references.citation: Clin J Sport Med. 2002 Jan;12(1):18-23
references.pmid: 11854584