Individual and Economic Characteristics as Determinants of Brazilian Runners’ Motivation

Abstract

Due to differences in runners’ profiles, which can be related to sociodemographic characteristics, motivations for running can vary. This study aimed to identify Brazilian runners’ motivations for their practice, and the factors associated among runners who point to look for performance improvement as their main motivation. The sample comprised 1097 non-professional road runners. The questionnaire “Profile characterization and associated factors for runner’s performance” was used. The results showed that the oldest athletes and those with the highest income levels presented lower likelihood of reporting performance improvement as their main motivation for taking part in running. In terms of income level, results showed that as this increased, there was a lower chance of getting involved in practice with a focus on incremental improvements in performance. Differences between sexes were also observed, with men more likely to indicate performance improvement as their motivation for running. In Brazil, most runners reported “health” as their main motivation for running. Women, older runners, and those with higher income levels were less likely to point to performance improvements as their main motivation for taking up running.

Motivation and Eco-Attitudes among Night Runners during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Indeed, concern for health increased with runners' age, that is, the youngest runners obtained the lowest scores or showed the fewest reasons for participation in terms of this dimension, whereas it gained importance with athletes' age. Such results, in relation to marathon and ultramarathon runners, are also confirmed by the Gerasimuk et al [56] study, and Thuany and colleagues [57] who studied Brazilian runners in general diagnosed health as the main motivation for running. However, the increase in competition orientation following the increase in runners' age (p = 0.003) is not consistent with previous research, as previous studies have diagnosed the dominance of competitionrelated motives in younger athletes rather than in older athletes [13].…”

Age-Related Differences in Motivation of Recreational Runners, Marathoners, and Ultra-Marathoners

“…However, few studies have been dedicated to motivations of ultramarathon runners. Frick (2011) examined motives of male and female ultramarathon runners, Krouse et al (2011) evaluated motives of female ultramarathon participants, Malchrowicz-Mośko and Waśkiewicz (2020) and Thuany et al (2021) analyzed motivation of an ultramarathoner in relation to their family life and marital status or socioeconomic status. They indicated that the most important motivations for running were related to personal goal achievement, health orientation, and selfesteem.…”

Why Do We Run in a Sporting Event? A Gender Perspective through the Half-Marathon of Cordoba, Spain

“…The second section included items related to socio-demographic profile: gender, age, level of education, professional category, and income level. This information has been collected in other studies on participation in sports events (León-Guereño et al 2020;Qiu et al 2020;Pereira et al 2021;Thuany et al 2021;Avello-Viveros et al 2022).…”