Running Analysis
Article by John Miller


The Importance of Running Analysis for Injury Prevention
How Biomechanical Assessments Can Help Improve Your Running Technique and Reduce the Risk of Injury
Understanding how you run is essential and crucial for any runner looking to improve their performance and minimise the risk of injury. Running analysis plays a vital role in this process by identifying factors impacting your running technique, foot placement, and movement limitations. By analysing your running pattern, you can gain insights into areas where you may lack mobility or control, such as joint stiffness, muscle tightness, or weakness.
To effectively identify and address these concerns, physiotherapists interested in running injuries can detect biomechanical faults involving the whole lower limb and pelvis that may increase the risk of injury. They possess the expertise to evaluate your running form, pinpoint potential issues, and provide immediate solutions to address them.
Biomechanical Assessment
We commonly use biomechanical assessments in running analysis, which plays a central role in evaluating your running technique. One such assessment is gait analysis, which examines your walking pattern to identify abnormalities that may translate into your running form. Running analysis, on the other hand, focuses specifically on assessing your running style and its associated mechanics. These assessments often incorporate advanced technologies such as video or motion capture analysis, allowing for a more precise evaluation of your running technique.
By employing running analysis, you gain a comprehensive understanding of your running mechanics and valuable insights into the most suitable type of shoes for your unique needs. Furthermore, the analysis can determine whether orthotics, specialised inserts that provide additional support and alignment, are necessary to address any existing biomechanical issues.
Investing in running analysis and biomechanical assessments can have a transformative impact on your running journey. Uncovering and addressing potential limitations or weaknesses can significantly improve your running technique, optimise your performance, and reduce the risk of injuries. Whether you are a novice runner or a seasoned athlete, incorporating running analysis as part of your training routine can provide invaluable guidance to help you reach your running goals safely and effectively.
Article by John Miller
Common Running Injuries
Running is a popular and accessible exercise cherished for its ability to keep individuals fit and healthy. However, this high-impact activity also comes with the risk of developing injuries. Runners commonly experience pain and discomfort in various areas of their bodies, particularly in the hips, knees, ankles, and feet. The repetitive impact and stress on muscles and joints during running can take a toll, mainly if you disregard early signs of injury.
This article aims to shed light on common running injuries, covering a range of conditions that runners may encounter, starting with knee, shin, and calf injuries. It also provides information on the runner's knee, ITB syndrome, shin splints, stress fractures, and more. Understanding these injuries and seeking appropriate treatment is vital for maintaining a safe and enjoyable running experience. If you require further guidance concerning your running assessment, do not hesitate to contact the experienced team at PhysioWorks.
Read the full article on common running injuries from the links below.
Knee, Shin and Calf Injuries
Knee Pain
- Runners Knee
- ITB Syndrome
- Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
- Patellar Tendinopathy
- Chondromalacia Patella
- Meniscus tears
- Plica Syndrome
- Fat Pad Syndrome
- Popliteus Tendinopathy
- Bursitis Knee
- Pes Anserinus Syndrome
- Knee Arthritis
Children’s Knee Conditions
Shin Pain
Calf Pain
Achilles, Ankle, Heel & Foot Conditions
Achilles and foot tendinopathies are common conditions that can affect runners and cause significant discomfort and limitations in their training. The Achilles tendon, peroneal tendons, Tibialis posterior tendon, and FHL tendon are prone to developing tendinopathies, characterised by pain, stiffness, and inflammation in the affected areas. Achilles tendon rupture may occur in severe cases, requiring immediate medical attention. Additionally, runners may experience retrocalcaneal bursitis, heel injuries such as Severs Disease and heel spurs, and various foot injuries like plantar fasciopathy (plantar fasciitis), metatarsalgia, Morton's neuroma, and foot stress fractures.
This article section aims to provide valuable insights into these conditions, their causes, symptoms, and potential treatment options to help runners better understand and address these issues. To learn more about Achilles and foot tendinopathies and other running injuries, continue reading the full article via the link.
Achilles and Foot Tendinopathies
- Achilles Tendinopathy
- Achilles Tendon Rupture
- Peroneal Tendinopathy
- Tibialis Posterior Tendinopathy
- FHL Tendinopathy
Ankle Injuries
Heel Injuries
Foot Injuries
- Plantar Fasciopathy (Plantar Fasciitis)
- Metatarsalgia
- Morton's Neuroma
- Foot Stress Fracture
- Pes Planus (Flat Feet)
Thigh, Hamstring, Groin & Hip Injuries
Thigh and hip injuries are common occurrences among runners and can significantly impact their training and performance. These injuries include pulled thigh muscles, hamstring strains, groin strains, ITB syndrome, proximal hamstring tendinopathy, and hip joint pain.
Conditions like hip arthritis, hip labral tear, femoroacetabular impingement (FAIS), lateral hip pain, gluteal tendinopathy, greater trochanteric pain syndrome, adductor-related groin pain, and hip flexor strains can also affect runners. The article aims to provide comprehensive information on these conditions, including their causes, symptoms, and potential treatment options, empowering runners to understand better and manage these injuries. To gain a deeper understanding of thigh and hip injuries and other common running injuries, continue reading via the article link.
Thigh & Hamstring Pain
Hip Joint Pain
Lateral Hip Pain
Adductor-related Groin Pain
Muscle, Bone & Back Injuries
Finally, muscle, bone and back injuries are frequent concerns among runners and can significantly affect their training progress and overall performance.
Common muscle injuries include thigh muscle strains, hamstring strains, calf strains, ITB syndrome, popliteus syndrome, cramps, and DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness). These conditions often arise from the repetitive nature of running and can cause pain, discomfort, and limitations in movement.
On the other hand, bone injuries such as stress fractures, particularly in the feet, Severs Disease, juvenile osteochondritis dissecans, heel spurs, shin splints, and lower back pain can also be prevalent among runners. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and appropriate management techniques for these muscle and bone injuries is crucial for runners to ensure a safe and effective training routine.
These articles provide comprehensive insights into these conditions, offering guidance on prevention, treatment, and recovery strategies. To learn more about muscle, bone and back injuries commonly experienced by runners, continue reading the full article via the link.
Muscle Injuries
- Common Muscle Injuries
- Thigh Muscle Strain
- Hamstring Strain
- Calf Strain
- ITB Syndrome
- Popliteus Syndrome
- Cramps
- DOMS – Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness
Bone Injuries
- Stress Fracture
- Stress Fracture Feet
- Severs Disease
- Osteochondritis Dissecans
- Heel Spur
- Shin Splints
Lower Back Pain
Conclusion
In conclusion, running is a popular exercise that provides numerous health benefits. Still, it also carries the risk of developing various injuries. This article sheds light on common running injuries, covering different body areas such as the knees, shins, calves, ankles, and feet.
The repetitive impact and stress placed on muscles and joints during running can lead to conditions like knee pain, runner's knee, ITB syndrome, shin splints, stress fractures, Achilles and foot tendinopathies, thigh and hip injuries, as well as muscle, bone, and back injuries. These injuries can cause pain, discomfort, and limitations in training and performance.
Understanding the causes, symptoms, and appropriate treatment options for these injuries is crucial for runners to maintain a safe and enjoyable running experience. Seeking professional guidance from healthcare providers such as physiotherapists can be beneficial in assessing and managing running-related injuries.
By being aware of these common injuries and taking proactive measures to prevent and address them, runners can reduce the risk of long-term damage and continue engaging in this physical activity confidently. Remember to listen to your body, pay attention to early signs of injury, and seek appropriate medical advice to ensure a safe and sustainable running routine.