2
Ensure they have the
right prerequisites
for running
One of the biggest reasons
that people get injured while
training for a long-distance
running event is that they do
not have the right ‘prerequisites’
for the activity. This means
that clients need to have the
joint health to withstand a high
impact, repetitive exercise, like
running.
“If a client has a job that
requires them to sit at a desk
for long periods of time, their
joint health will be reduced,”
says Neil. “It’s that old adage:
use it or lose it.”
Most injuries are caused
when movable joints receive
impact through repetition,
and according to Neil, any
kind of repetitive action on a
joint can be detrimental over
time, especially if that joint is
not healthy in the first place.
The muscles around the joint
become more fibrous and tight,
and motion is not very smooth.
Therefore, joint health as
a prerequisite for distance
running is critical. If a PT
determines that a client’s joints
are not healthy, strengthening
exercises need to be added
to their programme before
they can safely increase their
mileage.
“If you’re asking your body to
withstand impact that it’s never
received before, there will likely
be a problem,” says Neil.
Neil Dimmock of Ten Health and Fitness.
3
Focus beyond the legs
Running involves much more
than just the legs. Core strength
should also be incorporated
into any training programme for
a client thinking about taking on
a long-distance running event.
Incorporating a core-workout
programme into a running
regime can drastically improve
running speed and endurance.
It can also help minimise the
risk of injury. Les Mills, global
group exercise provider,
recently released research to
prove this exact point.
The research, which was
published in The Journal of
Sports Medicine and Physical
Fitness, showed that
three-dimensional core
exercises such as plank
variations and postural chain
30
FM
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