-->PONE-D-25-60207-->-->Variation in prevalence of participation limitation, injury location, and training habits between young and master runners: a cross-sectional study-->-->PLOS One

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Academic Editor

PLOS One

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Reviewers' comments:

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Background provided sufficient rationale for need for this research; purpose statement and hypotheses were clear. Methods was comprehensive and well organized. Results, discussion, and conclusion were consistent with the study's purpose; some brief additional statements are recommended for the initial discussion. Only very minor revisions are suggested. See pdf for specific comments.

Reviewer #2: Thank you for submitting your manuscript entitled “Variation in prevalence of participation limitation, injury location, and training habits between young and master runners: a cross-sectional study” to PLOS ONE. Your cross-sectional investigation, based on survey data from 207 runners and employing the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center Overuse Injury Questionnaire, provides valuable comparative insights into age-related differences in running-related participation limitations and associated factors. The findings regarding higher limitations in master runners (>35 years), increased upper extremity injuries, and distinct risk profiles contribute meaningfully to the literature on recreational running and support the call for age-specific prevention strategies.

The study has several strengths, including the use of a validated overuse injury tool, transparent reporting of ethics and data availability (via OSF), and clear presentation of age-specific LASSO regression results. However, several methodological and interpretive issues require attention to enhance scientific rigor and generalizability.

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Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: No

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Attachments

Attachment

Submitted filename: PONE-D-25-60207_reviewer_reviewer comments.pdf

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Submitted filename: nnn.pdf

Variation in prevalence of participation limitation, injury location, and training habits between young and master runners: a cross-sectional study

PONE-D-25-60207R1

Dear Dr. Rachel Berns,

We’re pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been judged scientifically suitable for publication and will be formally accepted for publication once it meets all outstanding technical requirements.

Within one week, you’ll receive an e-mail detailing the required amendments. When these have been addressed, you’ll receive a formal acceptance letter and your manuscript will be scheduled for publication.

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Kind regards,

Aynollah Naderi

Academic Editor

PLOS One

Additional Editor Comments (optional):

Dear Authors,

Thank you for submitting your revised manuscript to PLOS ONE. I have reviewed your responses to the reviewers' comments and the updated manuscript.

I am pleased to inform you that your manuscript is recommended for acceptance in its current form.

Your study provides valuable, age-stratified insights into running-related participation limitations and injury patterns. The use of the validated OSTRC-O2 questionnaire, transparent reporting, and appropriate application of LASSO regression strengthen the methodological rigor. The authors have comprehensively addressed all reviewer concerns, clarifying key methodological choices (e.g., OSTRC-O2 dichotomization, LASSO justification) and enhancing the discussion with practical, age-specific implications for injury prevention.

Minor production notes: please ensure table footnotes are consistent and figure labels are optimized for accessibility.

Congratulations on this contribution to sports medicine literature. Thank you for choosing PLOS ONE.

Sincerely,

Aynollah Naderi, PhD

Academic Editor, PLOS ONE

Associate Professor, Sport Sciences

Shahrood University of Technology, Iran

Reviewers' comments: