Perceived Effects of Running/Jogging: A Social Survey of Three Clubs

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to determine the perceived effects of run ning jogging on a regular basis. A mail-out structured questionnaire was sent to 984 members of three running clubs. The 454 regular runners who responded perceived changes relative to physical, emotional, and attitudinal factors. There was the perception of an increase in physical well-being, an increase in emotional well-being, a reduction in number of illnessess, an increase in criticism of those who are non-runners and those who are physically out-of-shape. The results varied when age, education, average miles of running per week, average hours of running per week, and average number of years of running were controlled. Age was positively associated with emotional improvement. Criticism of non-runners and the physically out-of-shape was correlated positively with number of miles and number of hours of running. However, the number of years of running produced an inverse relationship with criticism. These findings support some of the popular and scientific literature and contribute to the sociological concept of "social group".

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