Nearly 36% of the European population consists of runners ranging from ages fifteen to thirty-six years of age. The European Commission wants to protect their vast running population from injury, causing them to launch and fund the RunSafer Project. The project involves a collection of researchers that work to educate, protect, and reduce injuries in runners as well as aid those that have already sustained an injury. One specific project created with the help of El Institute of Biomechanics of Valencia and KELME, is a running shoe with an installed device that helps improve training and reduce injuries. With the synced application, runners can check their heart rate, GPS, receive feedback on running performance as well as suggested changes in running patterns. The shoe and app combo is also set to warn runners if a certain activity or running position may cause an injury.

Running can be a great way to keep your body healthy and in-shape, but it can also lead to injuries if you’re not careful. If you have a running injury or have an interest in preventing one, contact one of our podiatrists of Sutera and Jones Surgical Podiatry. Our doctors can instruct you on proper running techniques and help you keep your lower extremities safe.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

Many common running injuries are caused by overuse and overtraining. When the back of the kneecap starts wearing out and starts causing pain in your knee, this is commonly referred to as runner’s knee. Runner’s knee is a decrease in strength in your quadriceps and can occur if you’re not wearing properly fitted or supporting shoes. Runner’s knee usually is treated with strengthening exercises focusing on the quad muscles and sports orthotic. To prevent runner’s knee, focusing on hip strengthening is a good idea, as well as strengthening your quads to keep the kneecaps aligned. Physical therapy can help you learn the best exercises to heal runner’s knee.

What Are Some Causes of Running Injuries? 

- One cause of a common running injury is called iliotibial band syndrome.
- Plantar fasciitis is also another common injury.
- Stress fractures can occur from overtraining, lack of calcium, or even your running style.

Best Ways to Prevent Running Injuries
- Wear footwear that fits properly and suits your running needs.
- Running shoes are the only protective gear that runners have to safeguard them from injury.
- Make a training schedule.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Media, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries.

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