Common Overuse Injuries in Running
- Patellofemoral pain syndrome
- Stress fractures
- Shin splints/Tibial stress syndrome
- Iliotibial band syndrome
- Adductor strains
- Hamstring strains
- Ankle sprain
- Plantar fasciitis
- Achiles tendon syndrome
- Patellar tendonitis
Causes of Overuse Injuries
- Limited flexibility and range of motion
- Muscle strength imbalances
- Postural asymmetries
- Abnormal running biomechanics
- Training errors
- Old running shoes
- Irregular running surfaces
Previous Injury Can Lead to Future Injury
- Research has demonstrated that prior injury to any area of the foot, ankle, knee, hip and back can promote weakness throughout the lower extremity.
- Weakness can lead to altered running form, overuse and a new injury.
How Can I prevent injuries and improve my running?
- The science behind athletic performance training and injury prevention is based upon the biology of tissue healing, identifying variables which may predispose a person to having an injury and completion of a training program.
- The first place to start is to have a running and musculoskeletal evaluation to obtain a baseline of your specific function. This evaluation should be performed by a healthcare provider with a background in running injury prevention, sports medicine and rehabilitation.
- From this evaluation variables will be identified and a formal training program can be created. This personalized running program should include cross training, resting and of course, running.
