The role of interoceptive awareness in running: Insights from the multidimensional assessment of interoceptive awareness

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Yuya Maruo

Department of Physical Education, Tokyo Women’s College of Physical Education, Kunitachi, Japan

Citation

Maruo, Y. (2025). The role of interoceptive awareness in running: Insights from the multidimensional assessment of interoceptive awareness. International Journal of Sport Psychology, 56(5), 415-428. doi:10.7352/IJSP.2025.56.415

Abstract

Interoceptive awareness may play an important role in self-regulation of physical exertion. This study investigated pacing strategies in endurance running among college students and explored the relationship between running performance and individual differences in interoceptive awareness. Participants completed an 800m time trial, and interoceptive awareness was assessed using the Japanese version of the 32-item Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA). The 800m time was subjected to a two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance, including the factors “lap” and “group”. Pearson’s correlation analysis was used to examine the relationship between 800m time and MAIA scores. Results indicated that the higher-performing group adopted a positive pacing strategy, characterized by a gradual deceleration after 400m. Furthermore, faster 800m times were associated with higher scores in Attention Regulation, Emotional Awareness, Self-Regulation, and Trusting scores. These findings support the notion of an interaction between physical activity and interoceptive processes.

Keywords: Running, Pacing, The Multidimensional Assessment of Interocep- tive Awareness

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