There is currently a lack of consensus on the “ideal’ running form among running experts and researchers. There are pros and cons to many running variables including foot strike, but one area of agreement includes the reduction of forces at foot strike. Our previous blogs have described the importance of reducing vertical amplitude, peak forces,...
Click here for our most recent guest blog post and Q and A with holdfasthealth.com http://holdfasthealth.com/2017/07/15/phsyical-therapist-jeff-ryg/
In the examination of healthy or injured runners it is tempting to focus on an individual’s leg alignment and posture. The hope of these tests and measures is it will help a clinician identify the source of client’s symptoms or a risk factor for injury. The limitation of these examination items is their inability to...
In prior posts, we have discussed the importance of hip strengthening among runners. There is a strong correlation between hip weakness, especially the hip abductors, and knee pain. Studies have questioned if these strength impairments are present before pain develops or occur due to the onset of pain. In addition, some research has demonstrated runners...
In our previous posts on running shoes we have described the limitations of orthotics and shoe wear to alter foot, ankle, or knee mechanics during gait. Despite the hype and claims shoes have been unable to significantly improve running mechanics compared to proximal interventions including hip strengthening and gait retraining by a Physical Therapist. The...
The selection of running shoes continues to be a controversial topic in the sport. Arguments are heard from both sides of the running shoe continuum from barefoot/minimalist to heavily cushioned shoes. Both groups advocate their product based on its’ perceived influence on reducing the large numbers of running injuries seen every year among both recreational...
As we move towards the middle of summer many runners have experienced an increase in overuse injuries in their legs. Unfortunately, these running injuries are common among athletes with the vast majority of runners reporting one injury over the last year of training. Two of the most common injuries include shin splints (medial tibial stress...
The analysis and implementation of different foot strike patterns among runners has grown over the last 10 years. Changes in foot strike patterns have been shown to reduce loading through the leg and may help reduce the risk or symptoms associated with different running related injuries. Many runners entering our Physical Therapy clinic state confidence...
It is hard to find a runner who has not missed a training run or competition due to injury. Among the 20 million Americans who run on a regular basis about 1/3 to 1/2 will sustain a running related injury this year. This percentage has driven a substantial amount of attention towards shoe wear, running...
The tibia is the largest bone in our lower leg and absorbs the majority of weight bearing stresses during running. The tibia’s anatomy and function make it the most commonly affected area for stress fractures/injuries in runners. These injuries account for up to half of all stress related injuries among runners (Hreljac et al....