U.S. Army lieutenants pulled together a research study to try and help minimize the number of running injuries sustained among soldiers. The lieutenants attempted to correlate the force being used by runners when they hit the ground and the amount of injuries sustained depending on how much impact the force was made.
In order to hold this study, the military gathered 1027 men and women serving in the Army. These subjects were monitored as researchers examined their record of injuries while observing their running techniques. The study would ultimately come to the conclusion that the amount of force used while running had no relationship to any injuries suffered by the runners.
Running injuries can happen, especially without proper precaution. If you hurt your foot or ankle, see podiatrist Sharon L. Pletcher, DPM of Family Foot Center. Dr. Pletcher can treat your foot and ankle injuries.
How to Prevent Running Injuries
Many common running injuries are caused by overuse and overtraining. When the back of the kneecap starts wearing out and starts causing pain in your knee, this is commonly referred to as runner’s knee. Runner’s knee is a decrease in strength in your quadriceps and can occur if you’re not wearing properly fitted or supporting shoes. Runner’s knee usually is treated with strengthening exercises focusing on the quad muscles and sports orthotic. To prevent runner’s knee, focusing on hip strengthening is a good idea, as well as strengthening your quads to keep the kneecaps aligned. Physical therapy can help you learn the best exercises to heal runner’s knee.
What Are Some Causes of Running Injuries?
- One cause of a common running injury is called iliotibial band syndrome.
- Plantar fasciitis is also another common injury.
- Stress fractures can occur from overtraining, lack of calcium, or even your running style.
Best Ways to Prevent Running Injuries
- Wear footwear that fits properly and suits your running needs.
- Running shoes are the only protective gear that runners have to safeguard them from injury.
- Make a training schedule. Adding strengthening exercises as well as regular stretching can help
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in State College, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries.
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