THE SCIENCE BEHIND RUNNING INJURY

As a physical therapist of sports injury management and a long distance runner myself, I have looked into several research based evidences related to running injuries. If you are suffering from running related injuries just read your way through the article to understand what causes such injuries and how to overcome them.

Running Is Safe

Running is a pretty safe form of aerobic exercise compared to other sporting activities. But sometimes it comes with a cost of injuries which affects running performance or may put you on bedrest for weeks. If it becomes a chronic problem, then it does flare up every-time you go out for a run. Chronicity means any injury whose symptoms lasts more than a weeks time.

Every tissue in the body has a tolerance towards the amount of stress which can be placed on them.

A large amount of stress placed on the tissue or small amount of undue stress placed repetitively without relaxation often results in cellular breakdown (micro-trauma). Our body naturally tries to repair this cellular breakdown which creates a beautiful balance between breakdown and repair. Various external and internal factors disturbs this balance which results in injury. Moreover, if proper recovery doesn’t happen it often results in diminished tissue function ultimately affecting running performance.

Achilles tendonpathy, shin splint, plantar fasciitis and patellofemoral pain syndrome are most common injuries among long distance runners.

No injury happens abruptly in nature.

Several factors come into play when it comes to running injuries. Some are external (related to running environment) while many are internal factors ( body composition and anatomy). Poor running mechanics, overtraining, improper training routine or nutritional deficiencies are certain external factors associated with running related injuries. Other factors such as BMI, certain anatomic changes, past injury are internal elements responsible.

Who can help??

Running injuries are not as complex as it seems. A proper assesment and consultation by a sports physio can help one to resolve such issues. A physio can address the elements responsible for causing injury and hampering the recovery process through proper functional assessment and rehabilitation. An early intervention towards better recovery helps in early return to your favourite sport. Sports medicine doctor or orthopedic specialists can also help in issues related to such injuries.