INJURY-
Running keeps you fit both in body and mind but can increase the risk of injury.
Running is a weight-bearing activity which involves repetition of a very similar action over a prolonged period of time - depending on how you run, the loads involved with every step can be up to 3 times body weight.
The muscular-skeletal system has to be able to absorb and transmit these forces in a controlled and efficient manner many thousands of times on every run.
As a consequence the potential for runners suffering from 'overuse' injuries in particular is very high.
The many joints in which comprise the foot are all bound together by ligaments, or thickened protective parts of the joint coverings. Any of these ligaments may be damaged by abnormal strains. Usually, the strain is the result of a suddent twist. The strain may occur gradually, from repeated over-stretching, if, for instance, you wear unsuitable or unaccustomed shoes or if the ligament is pulled during a straining exercise. In either case, once a ligament is damaged, it will set up a painful spot which will be aggravated each time you subsequently over-stretch that point, or apply pressure over it. Even a tiny ligament can give severe pain when strained or pulled, and the pain can persist for some months.
Running keeps you fit both in body and mind but can increase the risk of injury.
Running is a weight-bearing activity which involves repetition of a very similar action over a prolonged period of time - depending on how you run, the loads involved with every step can be up to 3 times body weight.
The muscular-skeletal system has to be able to absorb and transmit these forces in a controlled and efficient manner many thousands of times on every run.
As a consequence the potential for runners suffering from 'overuse' injuries in particular is very high.
The many joints in which comprise the foot are all bound together by ligaments, or thickened protective parts of the joint coverings. Any of these ligaments may be damaged by abnormal strains. Usually, the strain is the result of a suddent twist. The strain may occur gradually, from repeated over-stretching, if, for instance, you wear unsuitable or unaccustomed shoes or if the ligament is pulled during a straining exercise. In either case, once a ligament is damaged, it will set up a painful spot which will be aggravated each time you subsequently over-stretch that point, or apply pressure over it. Even a tiny ligament can give severe pain when strained or pulled, and the pain can persist for some months.
