title: The Use of Recovery Strategies Among Participants of the BUPA Great North Run: A Cross-Sectional Survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate half-marathon runners' frequency of use of recovery strategies, perceptions regarding the most beneficial recovery strategy, and reasons for using recovery strategies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  186 participants of the 13.1 mile BUPA Great North Run 2013.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire was developed which required participants to indicate how frequently they used 12 different recovery strategies, identify which recovery strategy they believed to be most beneficial, and rank 6 reasons for using recovery strategies in order of importance. Data were analyzed using a Friedman nonparametric ANOVA and additional nonparametric tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All participants used recovery strategies. Stretching was the most commonly used recovery strategy (P < .001), whereas the use of nutritional supplements was the most commonly selected most beneficial recovery strategy. More than 50% of respondents indicated that they never used strategies such as kinesio tape (80%), hydrotherapy (78%), or ice baths (71%). A significant difference was observed between reasons for using recovery strategy (χ2(5) = 292.29, P < .001). Reducing muscle tightness (rank 4.87) and reducing injury (rank 4.35) were the most frequently chosen most important reasons for using recovery strategies. Minor sex and age differences in the responses were identified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recovery strategy usage appears to be widespread among half-marathon runners; however, disparities exist between the frequency of use and perceived effectiveness of different recovery strategies. Further research in this area is needed to facilitate the development of recovery strategy guidelines which are both evidence-based and practically relevant.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.forename: Tina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Alexanders
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.forename: Lois
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nevill
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Anderson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control; D055052:Athletic Tape; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D052580:Muscle Stretching Exercises; D009129:Muscle Tonus; D012046:Rehabilitation / Q000379:methods*; D012146:Rest; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: injury reduction; nutrition; running; stretching