To stretch or not to stretch? Since the 1970s, everyone from Little League coaches to professional trainers has promoted the benefits of stretching as a warm-up before exercise. But, how important is stretching before exercise? Recent research has produced evidence that static stretching before exercise does nothing to prevent injury. In fact, it may be […]
For many of us, running injuries are something that we feel can happen inadvertently. Some people feel that they can’t be prevented or anticipated. In fact, understanding the anatomy and biomechanics of our feet can greatly help us lower our risk of injury – even prevent them altogether. Of course, avoiding overtraining is another way […]
Running may seem like a simple activity, one that results in many health benefits, but it can bring with it the risk of related injuries. This is especially true during the warm summer months, when outdoor running is more pleasurable. Fortunately, proper training can help to reduce this risk. Most running injuries occur from overtraining, […]
Occurring in the front of the outer leg, shin splints result from inflammation to the posterior tibial tendon and related tissues . They commonly happen to runners or those who walk vigorously. Symptoms include pain in the front of the outer leg below the knee, ranging from dull discomfort to significant pain that increases with […]
IT band syndrome is a nickname for iliotibial band syndrome, a condition affecting the thick, fibrous band of tissue that runs from the pelvis to the top of the shin and keeps the knee stable and functioning when you walk or run. When the IT band becomes irritated or inflamed, patients feel knee pain that […]
Given the wide range of running shoes on the market, you may wonder whether you need to buy the most current or expensive pair of shoes. A shoe is only as good as the protection it offers the runner. Because the plantar fascia, a thick connective tissue running along the sole of the foot, carries […]
For years, runners have been warned that their favorite fitness activity puts them at risk for future arthritis. Today, however, many experts say that is not the case. While some studies have suggested that athletes who train rigorously may experience eventual deterioration of the leg joints, others have concluded that adults who run recreationally are […]
Barefoot running, also known as minimalism or natural running, is simply running without shoes or in thin-soled shoes. Proponents say our bodies and feet evolved to run with forefoot or midfoot striking. Running in shoes results in our heels’ striking first. Barefoot running is therefore a more “natural” experience, with barefoot running advocates arguing that […]
Common wisdom says that running is good exercise. It relieves stress, helps control weight and promotes cardiovascular health. But, now, a 2012 study published in the prestigious Mayo Clinic Proceedings suggests that too much running may be bad for your health and could, in fact, kill you. So, how much running is too much? The […]
Many people have purchased a new kind of footwear whose manufacturers claim will improve fitness and health. Toning shoes or rocker sole shoes allegedly help wearers burn more calories, tone their buttocks, improve posture and curb joint pain. But do these shoes really do what their boosters claim? According to the manufacturers, toning shoes are […]
