Transference of the Mental Benefits of Running with Novice Long-Distance Runners: A Content-Analysis Study
Transference of the Mental Benefits of Running with Novice Long-Distance Runners: A Content-Analysis Study
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Issue Date
2006
Authors
Winer, Dan
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Abstract
There has been a large amount of research over the past 40 years that has investigated the efficacy of running as a catalyst for reducing negative emotional states. The purpose of this study was to examine the mental benefits that evolved as a result of the implementation of long distance running for a six-month period. This six-month content analysis study involved extensive interviews and journal entry examinations with six novice runners in relation to their stress and anxiety levels while preparing for their first long distance (half or full-marathon) race. In addition, the runners' cognitive and emotional levels in each of their overall life settings were also analyzed throughout the entire training period. The runners were interviewed once a month for six months as well as required to record a journal entry a minimum of twice a week for the same time period. Moreover, a State-Trait Anxiety Questionnaire (STAT) was administered prior to each interview in order to acquire further data about stress and anxiety at that particular time. The data was drawn from verbatim transcriptions of all of the interviews; monthly journal entries; answers from the monthly questionnaire; and were inductively and deductively content analyzed. Two major sources of stress and anxiety levels surfaced from the data: Pre-race mental state behaviors and overall mental life-setting conditions that took place since the training began for each participant. The findings demonstrated that novice runners, without any preconceived thoughts of reducing stress and anxiety at baseline, became conscious of significant mental and physical benefits due to the inception of running; which also coincided with their original goal of achieving a personal accomplishment of completing a long distance race. The findings also have important implications in the future study of approaches to reducing negative emotional states. Finally, this study also includes personal reflections of the researcher for the purpose of recalling the 18-month process of this journey.