Running Drills
With all the interest in recent years on running technique and running form, more and more runners are now spending time to do running drills to help improve their running technique. One of these drills is the 100 Up technique, which is supposed to help teach a better running technique with a forefoot strike. It was first used in the 1800’s and has recently being “rediscovered”.
With its “rediscovery”, it has certainly been given a lot of publicity, but very little critical analysis, as there are some problems with it.
Hoka One One
The Hoke One One are new entrant into the running shoe market coming from France. They are what could be considered a maximalist running shoe, having maximum cushioning and support.
The shoe is becoming very popular which is surprising considering all the interest in barefoot running or running in shoes that offer minimal support and minimal cushioning. There are plenty of testimonial from runners to like these shoes.
Vibram Five Fingers
The Vibram Five Fingers are a favorite shoe with those who prefer barefoot or minimalist running. They are shoes that cover the foot like a glove and also have a pocket for each toe.
They are not without their controversy as they are facing legal action over the health claims that they made and Podiatrists are seeing a lot of injuries in those that use them. A recent motion to dismiss the class action was rejected.
Pose Running
There are a number of different running techniques that runners can use to allegedly be more efficient and reduce the risk for injury. Each of these different techniques have their passionate supporters with little evidence to support one over the other. One of the more high profile approaches is Pose Running, that uses a forefoot strike, shorter stride length and high cadence.
There is not a lot of support for Pose Running from biomechanists and a number of the underpinnings of it are not biomechanically sound. There is one study that suggests that Pose running is less efficient than other forms of running, but those that promote Pose running are very critical of this study.
Navicular Stress Fracture
I do hate seeing a navicular stress fracture as they usually occur in dedicated athlete who train hard and who put in long hours and are often competing at a high level. I hate seeing it as I have to tell them the news that they going to have to stop for about 6 weeks and then gradually start back to full training loads. No one wants to tell a high level athlete than and no high level athlete wants to be told that! Unfortunately, there is no way that they can heal in quicker than 6 weeks.
The key signs for a navicular stress fracture are pain over the navicular often located to a particular spot on the navicular (more)
Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome
Medial tibial stress syndrome is a common overuse injury in runners or other athletes that use a lot of running in their training. It is also the most common reason for leg pain when runners talk about “shin splints”. There are a number of different theories as to exactly what it is and a number of different theories as to what causes it.
The treatment usually involves modifying the training routine (eg issues like too much too soon); checking the running shoes; determining if any changes need to be made to the running form; correction of any biomechanical faults; address any issues with bending moments in the tibia; and gradual return to full activity.
Chi Running
There are many different ways for runners to fine true their running technique and each of them claims to be the best (which is problematic as how can they be?). Chi running is just one of those techniques that a re widely being promoted. We are seeing more and more runners that are getting an injury from trying the Chi running technique.
There are plenty of discussions on the pros and cons of Chi running and analysis of the claims made for it (see this). Most of the claims are exaggerated and do not stack up to detailed scrutiny. Chi running is helpful for some runners and not for others.