Going for a run should only require some sports clothing, a pair of sneakers, possibly some music, and motivation. But this doesn’t reflect the daily lives of women who also have to take the time to check that they will be safe before heading outside.

These precautions are seen as essential, as more than nine out of 10 women worldwide (92%) say they are concerned about their safety when they go running. This was revealed by a new study of 9,000 male and female runners in nine countries – China, Japan, France, the United States, United Kingdom, Mexico, United Arab Emirates, Germany, and South Korea.

Conducted for Adidas as part of its “With Women We Run” initiative and in partnership with the UK’s White Ribbon charity, the study found that one in two women worldwide (51%) still fears being physically assaulted while running. In comparison, only 28% of men share this fear.

It’s not coincidental or a figment of the imagination: nearly four out of 10 women (38%) say they have already been victims of physical or verbal harassment.

Of these, more than half mentioned being on the receiving end of comments of a sexist or sexual nature (55%), while a similar number said they have been honked at (53%), and even followed (50%) during their run.

Many women surveyed do not consider running without having taken precautions beforehand to avoid potential aggressions. More than two thirds of respondents (69%) admit to preparing their run very elaborately, including donning loose-fitting clothing to avoid any form of harassment, and even asking someone they trust – and who can protect them – to run with them.

This constant feeling of insecurity can also lead to mental and physical problems, regardless of the form of harassment. More than one out of two women surveyed (53%) declared that they are subject to anxiety, in contrast with 38% of men.

Amost half of the women (46%) say they have given up running after having been subjected to a form of harassment, as opposed to one third of male respondents.

And while 62% of the men surveyed recognised the issue of insecurity for women, only around a fifth of respondents (18%) believe it is their responsibility to help women feel safer when they run.