Lower limb musculoskeletal injuries in runners are well-established in the literature; however, musculoskeletal injuries of the upper limbs related to running have been less frequently studied, and its impact on running performance remains unknown.

The aim of study is to investigate the prevalence of neck and shoulder pain and the impact on running performance.

This prospective open survey study was conducted in accordance with the CHERRIES guideline recommendation. The study was conducted across the entire Brazilian territory using the Google Forms platform. Demographic data were collected, along with questions regarding the presence of cervical and shoulder pain. Among those who reported experiencing cervical and shoulder pain, they were also asked whether these pains limited their running performance. Finally, they completed two questionnaires to assess the levels of disability in the shoulder and cervical regions (SPADI and NBQ, respectively).

392 runners in all Brazilian territory answered this open survey which two-hundred ninety-one (58,16%) was women and one-hundred eighty-four (41,83%) was men. A total of 174 participants reported experiencing cervical and/or shoulder pain. Among them, 82 had cervical pain, corresponding to a prevalence of 20.92% (NBQ score = 20.65). Of these, 4 participants (4.88%) reported that cervical pain limited their running practice (NBQ score = 32.5). Additionally, 92 participants (23.47%) reported shoulder pain (SPADI score = 19.03), and among them, 5 (5.43%) stated that shoulder pain limited their running practice (SPADI score = 36.6). These preliminary findings suggest a moderate prevalence of cervical and shoulder pain among runners, with approximately 9% of affected individuals experiencing running limitations due to pain. Further studies are needed to better understand the relationship between cervical and shoulder pain and its impact on running performance.

These partial results suggest that the prevalence of neck and shoulder pain is 20.92% and 23.47%, respectively. However, only a small percentage of runners with cervical and/or shoulder pain experience limitations in running performance. Further studies are needed to identify the factors associated with the development of cervical and shoulder pain that may restrict running practice.

Understanding the impact of neck and shoulder pain on running performance can contribute to the development of preventive and rehabilitative strategies tailored to runners. Coaches, physiotherapists, and healthcare professionals should consider incorporating upper limb assessments and interventions into training programs to minimize potential biomechanical compensations and prevent further injuries. Future research should explore the underlying biomechanical and physiological mechanisms linking upper limb dysfunctions to running performance and injury risk. Additionally, longitudinal studies are needed to assess causality and the long-term effects of cervical and shoulder pain on runners’ health and performance.