Running Injuries: Injury Prevention Check-List
Before an airplane leaves the airport for its next destination, the pilot, ground crew and mechanics run through a check-list to identify how the plane is functioning and if there is any reason the plane should not take off. Running, whether for training for a goal race or as a form of general exercise, can be approached the same way.
Below is a check-list which you can complete that helps you organize your running program, identify areas that could lead to potential injury and help you identify characteristics about an injury before it gets worse. Questions 1-12 are helpful in organizing your running program, 13-16 can be used when an injury is starting; take this information with you if you need to seek medical care for a running related issue. It will assist in getting right to your issue and getting you back running!
If you have questions about one of the questions or about injury prevention let me know. I check the blog regularly.
Injury Prevention Check–List
1. What are your running goals?
2. How long have you been working to achieve this goal?
3. How many miles do you run per week?
____ days/______ week
4. How much time do you spend with non-running training/cross training?
5. Have you had a musculoskeletal exam to identify functional fitness?
Yes / No
6. What is your running schedule?
_____days/ _____ week
7. Do you maintain a running log?
Yes / No
8. Are you following a specific running and cross-training program?
Yes / No
9. What type of surface have you been running on?
(Road, trail, grass, rubber track)
10. Do you know your foot type? High/Average/Low Arch
Yes / No
11. How old are your running shoes:
Years/months
12. Do your shoes show an observable wear pattern on them? Look at your older shoes if you have a new pair.
Yes/ No
13. Are you currently running with an injury?
Yes/ No
14. Where is your injury?
(Foot,ankle,knee, hip,etc.)
15. When do you experience the pain or discomfort? (During the run, after running, on days you are not
running)
16. Has there been a recent change in running program? Intensity/ Duration/ Frequency
