Going barefoot allows you to feel where your foot lands relative to your center of mass, which muscles are activated, and whether you're maintaining your arch. Short periods of barefoot running can provide enough stimulation to recognize these imbalances and work to correct them.
Stress fractures materialize when weakened bones buckle under excessive weight or repetitive strain. This condition often arises due to an imbalance in bone health, where the body's natural bone-rebuilding process struggles to keep pace with the demands imposed upon it. Fear not, for there are practical measures you can implement to safeguard against stress fractures, ensuring the strength and durability of your bones for years to come.
Many runners neglect stretching, opting for token quad stretches before a race or park run just because it seems like the right thing to do or because everyone else is doing it. However, an effective pre-run stretching routine involves dynamic stretching, which can have significant positive effects on your entire body and running performance. Besides improving range of motion, dynamic stretching can also help prevent injuries and boost your VO2 max.
Deep water running is a great way to stay in shape without putting excessive pressure on your joints. This exercise provides a full-body workout that strengthens muscles, enhances cardiovascular fitness, and maintains sport-specific neuromuscular movement patterns. By leveraging the buoyancy of the water, deep water running reduces weight-bearing forces on injured joints, ligaments, and tendons. Additionally, the water's viscosity offers resistance that can help improve strength.
Running with carbon fiber plate (CFP) footwear has been found to offer significant performance benefits due to changes in foot and ankle biomechanics. However, concerns have been raised about potential injuries associated with the use of this footwear.
Fitness enthusiasts and health experts increasingly turn to dynamic stretching as a crucial component of their pre-workout routine. Jessica Chellsen, DPT, CSCS, a respected physical therapist and the visionary behind Vibrant Coast Physical Therapy & Wellness, lauds the benefits of this active form of stretching. Dynamic stretching involves moving your muscles and joints through their full range of motion, engaging your entire body, and replicating movement patterns specific to your chosen sport or exercise.
Achilles tendonitis refers to a condition where the tendon experiences chronic stress injury due to the accumulation of minor stresses that eventually cause damage. This ailment typically arises when there is an increase in the frequency or intensity of physical exercise, and various factors like inflexibility or overpronation can exacerbate it.
Discover the transformative power of targeted low back exercises in safeguarding against pain and injury. The erector spinae, vital for spinal stability, demand focused attention to maintain strength. Unlock the potential of these five essential low back exercises, designed to fortify your core, enhance stability, and promote a life free from discomfort.
Injury is a setback that can happen to any runner, regardless of their experience level. According to biomechanics expert Jay Dicharry, around 82% of runners will face an injury at some point in their career. Whether you're an elite runner who logs 120 miles per week or someone who is training for their first 5K, being sidelined due to an injury can be both physically and emotionally challenging.
Get ready to boost your running performance with three simple exercises that focus on strengthening your calves and core. The calves, which consist of the gastrocnemius and the soleus muscles, play a crucial role in stride length and pace. These muscles help to initiate the push-off phase of the running stride and absorb impact as your foot hits the ground.
