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...
The popularity of barefoot running, with or without the use of minimalist shoes, has grown since the publication of the book Born to Run. In the book, the author argues that running was an essential part of our evolution and survival, but up to 80% of runners will sustain an injury in a given year....
In our Boulder Physical Therapy Practice, gait retraining is an effective intervention to reduce the abnormal forces which perpetuate many overuse running injuries. Athletes are videotaped by Physical Therapists for bio-mechanical faults including alignment, stride length, step rate, and running technique. The athlete is then given real time feedback to correct the faults associated with their...
Over the last 5-10 years ultra marathon running has grown in popularity with pavement and trail races popping up throughout the West. Ultra trail running events are described as distances greater than a marathon, in mountainous terrain, and involving elevation changes. Authors report a 5200% increase in these events between 1978 and 2008 (Hoffman et...
In our Boulder Physical Therapy practice, the examination of a runner’s gait is a critical part of the evaluation giving us insight into the factors which either precipitated or perpetuated a running related injury. The forces transmitted across the body in running can be 2-4 times body weight and must be absorbed efficiently to reduce...
Marathon running is a challenging event requiring substantial amounts of endurance and strength training for optimal performance and injury prevention. The race distance of 26.2 miles requires high mileage training, often >75-100 miles per week at the elite level, placing the athlete at risk of a running related injury (Saragiotto et al. 2014). In addition...
As the snows melts many of us will return to the amazing Boulder trail system for our training runs. This popular form of exercise comes with tremendous health benefits, but can also place some runners at risk for running injuries such as knee pain. Patellofemoral Pain (pain on the front of the knee) is the...
The human foot is a remarkable structure of 26 bones and 30+ joints integral to both walking and running. The foot must be able to both flatten (pronate) and absorb the forces of the body, as well as, become rigid (supinate) in preparation for propelling us forward. This balance of mobility and stability is accomplished...
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...