With the warmer weather starting many of us are either increasing our training or looking to increase our activity – especially running training – so to help you stay moving and injury free here are 4 Tips to Keep YOU and your clients injury free. All from the team at Bodies Under Construction Physio.
Injury Tip One – Increase Slowly:
Many people get so excited by the warmer weather and impatient at their slow progress that they go from 3 months on the lounge to attempting a marathon in 4 weeks – this is a recipe for disaster. Make sure you increase your running and training times by small increments only – a 5 -10% increase in either distance or time each week is plenty and will ensure you stay pain free. One of the biggest predictors of injury in runners is rapidly increasing training volume – the more training you do the greater the risk it is simple maths.
Injury Tip Two – Check your Shoes:
Many people get excited about starting a training program however they make the mistake of grabbing their favourite pair of walking shoes and then wonder why they get foot, knee and leg pain 2 weeks into their program. Make sure you get a good pair of running shoes BEFORE you start your training program – unfortunately for your bank balance you do get what you pay for when it comes to running shoes.
Injury Tips Three – Watch out for Hills:
Many new runners get injuries due to following a route that has too many hills in it – hill running is a great training tool but hills also cause incredible demands on the joints of the lower body and can accelerate injury risk in certain people. Try and stay on the flat for the first few months and then add some hills in as your fitness improves – it is better to be running on the flat than not running at all.
Injury Tip Four – Get a Check-Up
We mentioned a moment ago that one of the biggest predictors of injury is training volume – the other biggest predictor is past injury history. It amazes us here at Bodies Under Construction the number of people that had an injury at the end of their last training or sport season – and do not have any treatment or assessment on that area prior to starting next seasons training . The injury may have left some scar tissue, reduced range or muscle weakness that will greatly increase the injury risk when training resumes.
Don’t forget injuries happen to the best of us and these tips will only help to prevent but should you sustain an injury do come in and see one of our Physiotherapists who will be able to treat the problem and prescribe exercises which can further help to prevent recurrent injuries.
Leslie is a Master Trainer for the world renowned Australian Physiotherapy and Pilates Institute(APPI). He is regular key note speaker at conferences and travels internationally to present on modified exercise for rehabilitation.
Leslie is the founder of Bodies Under Construction Clinics situated in Berkshire and London. A specialist Private Physiotherapy Practice for People of all ages, but especially those in their 30’s. 40’s, 50’s and 60’s and beyond, who want to keep healthy and active.
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