Archive for January, 2010

I have just read a very interesting article on the BBC website under the science and environment link that reports on a study that has been carried out on the effects of barefoot running versus the very cushioned shoes that we all wear. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8483401.stm Not sure personally that I would go running barefoot myself, far too many sharp things on the roads and tracks around here on my soft feet . However it certainly builds on the debate about the perceived benefit of this type of running.  One of the alternatives to sore and cut feet could be the five toed running socks I wrote about in an earlier post. http://www.rangeofmotion.co.uk/archives/425

There is certainly much more to be gained from mid foot and forefoot striking rather than the energy sapping heel strike. The mechanics of the foot with the distribution of the bones, joints and muscles certainly indicate that we get much more power in each stride by a mid foot strike. A few words of caution though; you cannot just change styles overnight after years of heel strike running. Your body will have to learn to adapt to the change. I have worked with some clients using preventative massage treatments and a programme of stretches to facilitate an injury free transition. This has seen them take minutes of PBs and be less susceptible to impact injuries.

This is the time of the year when many of you will be setting out on your marathon training and it is does not matter if this is the first one you will do or you are an experienced long distance runner. The risk of injuries are high, the volume of running  will potentially pre-dispose you to picking up those aches and pains that could hinder your carefully worked out training plan. They are all preventable if you include within that programme regular maintenance sessions with a manual therapist who can iron out any difficulties before they hit you. You will take the time to consider what you eat, what you wear, your running shoes; but will you think about your body and what you will demand of that? Running has an impact through the whole of your body not just the legs and feet; it will effect your back, your shoulders and your neck. Good quality sports massage and joint mobilisation can minimise those impacts and make your whole marathon experience more enjoyable.  Your massage therapist can give you excellent injury prevention advice and most of them have experience with training and sports activities so will know what you are experiencing at first hand. You can also find some excellent online advice at the following website and link that I saw today, http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/sports/marathon_tips.php