Bodily awareness predicts functional improvement and injury risk in elite long-distance runners: a prospective study.

ABSTRACT: Running-related injuries (RRIs) are prevalent among long-distance athletes. Although physical conditioning remains central to preventing RRIs, bodily awareness may play an equally important role in self-regulation. The KOJI AWARENESS (KA) test was designed to enhance awareness by enabling athletes to evaluate their functional status. This study investigated whether bodily awareness, assessed by the KA test, is associated with functional improvement and reduced RRI incidence in male collegiate long-distance runners. A total of 41 male collegiate runners were recruited (mean age: 20 ± 1 years, height: 171.6 ± 5.9cm, weight: 56.6 ± 4.1kg), and 35 completed the protocol. All participants underwent pre- and post-season KA testing and performed individualized corrective exercises based on their

SUBMITTER: Murofushi K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12753356 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature