An Online Evidence-Based Education Resource Is Useful and Can Change People’s Perceptions About Running and Knee Health

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To (1) create and evaluate the usefulness of an online evidence-based education resource about running and knee health (eg, knee osteoarthritis) for the public and health care professionals, and (2) assess the online resource’s effects on perceptions about running and knee health. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. METHODS: We created an online education resource (series of infographics) in 7 languages with community input. Then, we conducted a single-round online survey in which participants rated its usefulness and answered questions on perceptions about running and knee health before and after reading the infographics. RESULTS: Two thousand six hundred ninety-four participants (1291 members of the general public and 1403 health care professionals; 45.7% with knee osteoarthritis and 67.6% runners) from 60 countries viewed the infographics and responded to the postinfographics questions. The online resource was considered very useful, with a median rating of 9 out of 10. 23.2% of participants reported no change in their perceptions about running and knee health, 46.2% changed a little bit, 19.3% changed a moderate amount, and 11.3% changed a lot. Perceptions of running were more favorable after reading the infographics, especially about the effects of regular and frequent running on knee health, and running in individuals with knee osteoarthritis. Perceptions about running long distances were less favorable after the infographics. CONCLUSION: Our free online education resource was considered useful by both the public and health care professionals. Overall, the online resource led to more positive perceptions about recreational running and knee health. However, its effects on behavior change and running participation remain unknown. JOSPT Open 2024;2(3):246-255. Epub 9 May 2024. doi:10.2519/josptopen.2024.0149