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The Injury That Is Most Likely to Make People Quit Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (And How to Prevent It)

By: Rani Helvey-Byers, PT, DPT, OCS Brazilian Jiu Jitsu demonstrates an extremely high injury prevalence, with 91% of practitioners sustaining at least one injury during training and 60% of competitive athletes injured in competition.1 For many practitioners, injuries are simply part of the journey, a minor blip requiring mild alteration to the training schedule. However,...

Screening for Achilles Injury Risk in Pickleball Players: A Practical, Evidence-Based Guide

By: Erica Tran, PT, DPT, OCS Pickleball continues to grow rapidly, but so do lower extremity injuries, particularly involving the Achilles tendon. The combination of quick acceleration, deceleration, and repetitive loading places significant strain on this structure. Research in sports medicine and tendon physiology consistently shows that Achilles injuries are rarely sudden events. Instead, they...

How Do Step Cadence Changes Affect My Running?

In our Boulder Physical Therapy and Lafayette Physical Therapy clinics we are often asked about cadence by our running clients and patients. A recent study in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research examined the effect of cadence training on running economy in a group of well-trained female runners. The authors looked at the runners...

Ankle Sprain Injuries Ankle sprains are one of the most common orthopedic injuries with an annual incidence of 7 sprains per 1000 individuals(1). Lateral ankle sprains involving the outside of the ankle account for 85% of these sprains (see picture) and involve flexed and inverted foot(2). Authors reports up to 72% of individuals who sustain...

Achilles Tendon Problems Achilles tendinopathy commonly occurs in runners and jumpers, with up to 50% experiencing the condition in their lifetime(1). Not all those affected are active with 33% of individuals reporting a sedentary lifestyle(2). Individuals with this condition report pain, stiffness, and loss of function with daily and recreational activities. This condition was originally...