WELLNESS FEATURE

Treat running-related musculoskeletal injuries at Dr Richa Singh’s Perfect Bounce

By Smiti Jain Narayan Recreational running is an increasingly popular method of physical activity, with participation rates growing annually. Although running offers several health benefits, it also poses a considerable risk of injury to the musculoskeletal system. The annual rate of running-related injuries ranges from 24 % to 65 %, with the most commonly injured joint being the knee. Among runners training for a marathon, the injury rate has been reported as high as 90 %. However, injuries can generally occur secondary to four main factors: musculoskeletal impairment, extrinsic causes such as running surface or shoes, training error, and faulty running mechanics. Traditional management of running injuries emphasises factors that are easily assessed by taking a thorough history or performing a complete physical examination. However, as measurement technology has improved, our ability to capture running mechanics as part of a routine clinical exam has increased, as well as our ability to integrate this information into our clinical decision-making process. Clinical video analysis of running enables the clinician to characterize the patient’s running biomechanics, estimate the resulting joint and muscle loads, and identify aspects that may be associated with injury risk.

CADENCE TRAINING

Lower-extremity running injuries due to slow cadence and excessive stride length are common. These can be remedied with manipulating cadence, which can easily be done in the clinic with the use of a treadmill, metronome, and a motion capture device, such as a high-speed camera, tablet, or a smartphone.

The following steps should be used to help runners find the cadence that is effective for them: 1. The runner will run on a treadmill at a self-selected speed for 1 to 2 min. Record running motion from the frontal and sagittal planes. Capture cadence using a metronome or smartwatch. 2. Add 5% to the runner’s self-selected cadence value. Set the metronome at the new cadence and have the runner run at that cadence for 1 to 2 min. 3. If symptoms are not improved, try increasing cadence an additional 5%. Record the runner from the frontal and sagittal planes at this new cadence. 4. Review the film with the runner if using a tablet/smartphone. At a higher cadence, the stride length shortens, foot strikes occur closer to the hips with the knee more flexed and the hip less adducted. This visual feedback can be used to manipulate gait. Many programs exist for the patient to download music of the preferred cadence like iTunes, and smartphone applications, such as Spotify Running, which will only play music that is set to a specific cadence. Manage running related injuries and all other musculoskeletal issues under the professional care of Dr Richa Singh’s Perfect Bounce physiotherapy clinic.

PERFECT BOUNCE HEALTHCARE PVT LTD Landmark, JR Magnum, 1st Floor, 184/A, 22nd Cross Club Road, Opp. HSR Club, Sector 3, HSR Layout, Bengaluru. Mob: +91 95134-15111 / +91 95135-15111 Email: contact@perfectbounce.in Website: www.perfectbounce.in