None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
There is limited research that directly addresses how runners select their running shoes. An educational module was developed and used to synthesize and disseminate current research regarding running shoes (Dhillon et al., 2019). Participants stated that the module would impact the next pair of shoes that they chose, although the long-term effects of the educational module are unknown. An updated educational module will be used in the present study to identify how current research regarding running shoes does or does not influence the purchase practice of participants. It is unknown how current research impacts shoe selection prior to purchase, and whether education relating to footwear research does indeed influence footwear choice. Therefore, the aim of this study is to compare the effects of an educational module on shoe selection, satisfaction, and comfort. The survey will provide preliminary information regarding changes to satisfaction and comfort over time, which might be useful in informing runners regarding footwear expectations over time. Understanding how runners interact with running shoe research to inform their footwear selection is key in developing better educational tools.
Interventions
How does an educational module influence running shoe selection, satisfaction, and comfort over time in road runners?
Subjects in the intervention group will be assigned an educational module that is to be viewed before the purchase of their new running shoes. The educational module will present the latest scientific evidence related to selecting running footwear and is adapted specifically for this study from published research (http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2020-000767). The module identif
How does an educational module influence running shoe selection, satisfaction, and comfort over time in road runners? Subjects in the intervention group will be assigned an educational module that is to be viewed before the purchase of their new running shoes. The educational module will present the latest scientific evidence related to selecting running footwear and is adapted specifically for this study from published research (http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2020-000767). The module identifies research on running footwear and its relationship to running injury. The intervention group will receive only one module during the experiment, which should last approximately 10 minutes. All modules will be delivered via a graphical/video presentation based on Microsoft PowerPoint to be viewed online, with potential for interactive components. Interactions may include clicking on portions of the presentation in order to continue progress. After completing the assigned module, runners will be instructed to purchase a running shoe within a month for the primary purpose of road running. Runners will be contacted via phone and/or email after the module to assess completion. Running volume and intensity will be left up to participant discretion for the duration of the study, although runners will be encouraged to continue their normal training schedule. Runners will report training volume as part of their surveys. Following the completion of the purchase, runners will participate in online surveys via Qualtrics at three time points (before 1st use, 1 month, 3 months). Runners will be asked to provide proof of purchase via receipt. The survey questions are to be completed online and address shoe selection, comfort, and satisfaction, as well as running-related injuries. We intend to ask participants which group they thought they were in at the end of the experiment to assess how effective the blinding was. 'Which group do you think you were allocated to (intervention or control)? Why do you feel that way?'
Sponsors
Andrew Fife
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Educational / counselling / training
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Participants will be adults aged 18 or over who met the eligibility criteria of running at least once weekly for at least one month (Dhillon et al., 2020), willing to purchase running shoes within one month of enrolment at a participating store or online, and committed to completing the follow-up surveys.
Exclusion criteria
Runners that will not primarily use their shoes for road running. Runners that are injured during enrolment or within one month prior as defined by Yamato et al 2015: Running related (training or competition) musculoskeletal pain in the lower limbs or low back that causes a restriction on or stoppage of running (distance, speed, duration, or training) for at least 7 days or 3 consecutive scheduled training sessions, or that requires the runner to consult a physician or other health professional.
Outcome results
None listed