IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v17y2020i7p2276-d338077.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Understanding Different Types of Recreational Runners and How They Use Running-Related Technology

Author

Listed:
  • Mark Janssen

    (Department of Industrial Design, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5612 AZ Eindhoven, The Netherlands
    School of Sport Studies, Fontys University of Applied Science, 5612 AR Eindhoven, The Netherlands)

  • Ruben Walravens

    (School of Sport Studies, Fontys University of Applied Science, 5612 AR Eindhoven, The Netherlands)

  • Erik Thibaut

    (Policy in Sports & Physical Activity Research Group, University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium)

  • Jeroen Scheerder

    (Policy in Sports & Physical Activity Research Group, University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium)

  • Aarnout Brombacher

    (Department of Industrial Design, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5612 AZ Eindhoven, The Netherlands)

  • Steven Vos

    (Department of Industrial Design, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5612 AZ Eindhoven, The Netherlands
    School of Sport Studies, Fontys University of Applied Science, 5612 AR Eindhoven, The Netherlands)

Abstract

This study aims to help professionals in the field of running and running-related technology (i.e., sports watches and smartphone applications) to address the needs of runners. It investigates the various runner types—in terms of their attitudes, interests, and opinions (AIOs) with regard to running—and studies how they differ in the technology they use. Data used in this study were drawn from the standardized online Eindhoven Running Survey 2016 (ERS2016). In total, 3723 participants completed the questionnaire. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis were used to identify the different running types, and crosstabs obtained insights into the use of technology between different typologies. Based on the AIOs, four distinct runner types were identified: casual individual, social competitive, individual competitive, and devoted runners. Subsequently, we related the types to their use of sports watches and apps. Our results show a difference in the kinds of technology used by different runner types. Differentiation between types of runners can be useful for health professionals, policymakers involved in public health, engineers, and trainers or coaches to adapt their services to specific segments, in order to make use of the full potential of running-related systems to support runners to stay active and injury-free and contribute to a healthy lifestyle.

Suggested Citation

  • Mark Janssen & Ruben Walravens & Erik Thibaut & Jeroen Scheerder & Aarnout Brombacher & Steven Vos, 2020. "Understanding Different Types of Recreational Runners and How They Use Running-Related Technology," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-18, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:7:p:2276-:d:338077
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/7/2276/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/7/2276/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Thibaut, Erik & Eakins, John & Vos, Steven & Scheerder, Jeroen, 2017. "Time and money expenditure in sports participation: The role of income in consuming the most practiced sports activities in Flanders," Sport Management Review, Elsevier, vol. 20(5), pages 455-467.
    2. Paul Downward, 2007. "Exploring the Economic Choice to Participate in Sport: Results from the 2002 General Household Survey," International Review of Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 21(5), pages 633-653.
    3. Simon Cook & Jon Shaw & Paul Simpson, 2016. "Jography: Exploring Meanings, Experiences and Spatialities of Recreational Road-running," Mobilities, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 11(5), pages 744-769, October.
    4. David Parra-Camacho & Manuel Alonso Dos Santos & María Huertas González-Serrano, 2020. "Amateur Runners’ Commitment: An Analysis of Sociodemographic and Sports Habit Profiles," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-19, February.
    5. Eime, R.M. & Sawyer, N. & Harvey, J.T. & Casey, M.M. & Westerbeek, H. & Payne, W.R., 2015. "Integrating public health and sport management: Sport participation trends 2001–2010," Sport Management Review, Elsevier, vol. 18(2), pages 207-217.
    6. David Parra-Camacho & María Huertas González-Serrano & Rómulo Jacobo González-García & Ferran Calabuig Moreno, 2019. "Sporting Habits of Urban Runners: Classification According to Their Motivation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-18, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Kobe Helsen & Mark Janssen & Steven Vos & Jeroen Scheerder, 2022. "Two of a Kind? Similarities and Differences between Runners and Walkers in Sociodemographic Characteristics, Sports Related Characteristics and Wearable Usage," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-17, July.
    2. Mabliny Thuany & Thayse Natacha Gomes & Lee Hill & Thomas Rosemann & Beat Knechtle & Marcos B. Almeida, 2021. "Running Performance Variability among Runners from Different Brazilian States: A Multilevel Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-12, April.
    3. Yi Ouyang & Xiaomei Cai & Jie Li & Quan Gao, 2021. "Investigating the “Embodied Spaces of Health” in Marathon Running: The Roles of Embodiment, Wearable Technology, and Affective Atmospheres," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-13, December.
    4. Mabliny Thuany & Raphael F. de Souza & Lee Hill & João Lino Mesquita & Thomas Rosemann & Beat Knechtle & Sara Pereira & Thayse Natacha Gomes, 2021. "Discriminant Analysis of Anthropometric and Training Variables among Runners of Different Competitive Levels," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-9, April.
    5. Daphne Menheere & Mark Janssen & Mathias Funk & Erik van der Spek & Carine Lallemand & Steven Vos, 2020. "Runner’s Perceptions of Reasons to Quit Running: Influence of Gender, Age and Running-Related Characteristics," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-12, August.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Daphne Menheere & Mark Janssen & Mathias Funk & Erik van der Spek & Carine Lallemand & Steven Vos, 2020. "Runner’s Perceptions of Reasons to Quit Running: Influence of Gender, Age and Running-Related Characteristics," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-12, August.
    2. David Manzano-Sánchez & Lucas Postigo-Pérez & Manuel Gómez-López & Alfonso Valero-Valenzuela, 2020. "Study of the Motivation of Spanish Amateur Runners Based on Training Patterns and Gender," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-12, November.
    3. Ferrucci Luca & Forlani Fabio & Picciotti Antonio, 2021. "Sports Consumption Behavior: Discovering Typologies of Amateur Cyclists," Polish Journal of Sport and Tourism, Sciendo, vol. 28(4), pages 26-31, December.
    4. Humphreys, Brad & Ruseski, Jane & Zhou, Li, 2015. "Physical Activity, Present Bias, and Habit Formation: Theory and Evidence from Longitudinal Data," Working Papers 2015-6, University of Alberta, Department of Economics.
    5. Lechner, Michael & Sari, Nazmi, 2015. "Labor market effects of sports and exercise: Evidence from Canadian panel data," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 35(C), pages 1-15.
    6. Battista, Geoffrey A. & Manaugh, Kevin, 2018. "Stores and mores: Toward socializing walkability," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 53-60.
    7. Ashley D. Tegart & Nadine Schuurman & Stella R. Harden, 2025. "Runnability: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(1), pages 1-34, January.
    8. Yasemin Öztürk & Tekin Köse & Kayra Özcan, 2021. "Gender Differences in Sports Participation: A Multi-Level Analysis," Bogazici Journal, Review of Social, Economic and Administrative Studies, Bogazici University, Department of Economics, vol. 35(2), pages 151-176.
    9. Andrews, Gavin J. & Duff, Cameron, 2020. "‘Whole onflow’, the productive event: an articulation through health," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 265(C).
    10. Michael Lechner & Paul Downward, 2017. "Heterogeneous sports participation and labour market outcomes in England," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 49(4), pages 335-348, January.
    11. Norwood, Patricia & Eberth, Barbara & Farrar, Shelley & Anable, Jillian & Ludbrook, Anne, 2014. "Active travel intervention and physical activity behaviour: An evaluation," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 50-58.
    12. Thibaut, Erik & Vos, Steven & Scheerder, Jeroen, 2014. "Hurdles for sports consumption? The determining factors of household sports expenditures," Sport Management Review, Elsevier, vol. 17(4), pages 444-454.
    13. Hanna Nałęcz & Łukasz Skrok & Dawid Majcherek & Elżbieta Biernat, 2020. "Through Sport to Innovation: Sustainable Socio-Economic Development in European Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-16, December.
    14. Nana Anokye & Subhash Pokhrel & Martin Buxton & Julia Fox-Rushby, 2012. "The demand for sports and exercise: results from an illustrative survey," The European Journal of Health Economics, Springer;Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gesundheitsökonomie (DGGÖ), vol. 13(3), pages 277-287, June.
    15. Rowe, Katie & Sherry, Emma & Osborne, Angela, 2018. "Recruiting and retaining girls in table tennis: Participant and club perspectives," Sport Management Review, Elsevier, vol. 21(5), pages 504-518.
    16. Yong Kang Cheah & Mohd Azahadi & Siew Nooi Phang & Noor Hazilah, 2017. "The Income and Demographic Determinants of Physical Activity Intensity: Evidence from a Developing Country," Margin: The Journal of Applied Economic Research, National Council of Applied Economic Research, vol. 11(3), pages 348-364, August.
    17. Sari, Nazmi & Lechner, Michael, 2015. "Long-run health effects of sports and exercise in Canada," Economics Working Paper Series 1520, University of St. Gallen, School of Economics and Political Science.
    18. Charlotte Cabane & Andrew E. Clark, 2015. "Childhood Sporting Activities andAdult Labour-Market Outcome," Annals of Economics and Statistics, GENES, issue 119-120, pages 123-148.
    19. Erik Thibaut & John Eakins & Steven Vos & Jeroen Scheerder, 2017. "Time and money expenditure in sports participation: The role of income in consuming the most practiced sports activities in Flanders," Sport Management Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(5), pages 455-467, December.
    20. Tim Edensor & Jonas Larsen, 2018. "Rhythmanalysing marathon running: ‘A drama of rhythms’," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 50(3), pages 730-746, May.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:7:p:2276-:d:338077. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.