What the study found
First-week running distance and duration were similar across BMI groups, while participants in the higher-BMI groups generally ran more slowly.
Participants and protocol
A seven-day observational study followed 914 novice runners choosing their own running schedules, with GPS watches recording sessions.
What this cannot establish
The study describes behaviour; it did not establish that those schedules caused injuries or identify a safe distance for an individual. BMI alone should not determine readiness or training load.
Publication details
- Record
- PubMed 29932876
- Indexed subjects
- Obesity · Body Mass Index · Risk Factors · Prospective Studies · Choice Behavior
- Source record checked
- 2026-10-18
Publication type and subject indexing describe the record; they are not a quality grade or proof of a benefit. An abstract does not replace a review of the full methods and results.
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Performance Science Lab
Research summaries for endurance athletes, with study context, practical protocols, and clear limitations.
Open guideInjury risk performance research
Running injuries have multiple contributing factors, including previous injury and training history. No single load measure explains individual risk.
Open guideInjury risk research for endurance athletes
Running injury risk is multifactorial. Consider previous injury, training exposure and recovery together; a load number alone cannot determine your risk.
Open guide