Can injury and discomfort during running be prevented by adjusting a runner’s gait? In the past, our posts have discussed the importance of gait analysis and fluid biomechanical movement. We have also discussed common injuries among triathletes and long distance runners such as plantar fasciitis, shin splints, and runner’s knee. When it comes to injury among endurance athletes, the common perception was that the physical activity of running or cycling wore down the joints and tore muscles. The idea that endurance training itself is the source of injury is quickly becoming a notion of the past. A recent article published by the Wall Street Journal offers a different point of view that aligns with our mission and products.

Injury Prevention and Gait

According to the Wall Street Journal, injury among runners is quite high, with injury rates reaching up to 90% among marathon runners. Citing experts and orthopedic doctors, the article explains how important gait analysis is to injury prevention. Instead of entertaining the notion that wear and tear on joints and ligaments is caused by running, the conclusion based on the author’s research points to issues with gait, including runners striding “out too far” and landing with the legs “at awkward angles.”

While gait analysis is cutting-edge and not as widely available at sports medicine centers, many experts believe that properly analyzing gait can identify the underlying cause of an injury and even prevent injury by identifying bad habits. By analyzing gait and correcting mechanical issues, it is more possible than ever before for endurance athletes to train and perform with little to no pain.

RPM² Provides Gait Analysis to Endurance Athletes

Our product, RPM², analyzes runners’ and cyclists’ step time and weight distribution along with providing data that relates to gait. Delivering data to your smartphone or tablet, our products can help you and your trainer identify mechanical issues so that you can adjust your training habits for better performance.

Every runner has felt a throbbing or dull pain along the shin bone, often accompanied by mild swelling, at one time or another. This common overuse condition is called shin splints, and it is characterized by inflammation of the shin bone (tibia) and surrounding muscles, tendons, or other soft tissues. Fortunately, this condition, formally called medial tibial stress syndrome, often resolves itself with conservative treatments.

What Causes Shin Splints?

The simple answer to this question is, “Overdoing it.” A stress injury, shin splints often occur when you make a sudden change in your training rather than gradually working up to a new regimen. This may include suddenly increasing the frequency, duration, or intensity of exercise or running on new terrain without proper conditioning. Other risk factors include overpronating when running or having flat feet or high arches. The condition is often one-sided and occurs in the runner’s dominant leg.

How Is the Condition Treated?

The first thing you should do when you experience shin pain or swelling is to stop running and ice the injury. Non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen can ease the discomfort, and a compression bandage may help keep swelling down. Rest is essential, and your trainer and physician will advise you on how long you need to rest before you can return to your previous level of training and what types of strengthening and stretching exercises can promote healing. You may be allowed to perform lower-impact exercises, such as cycling or swimming, while your injury heals. As a preventive measure, your physician may also prescribe custom foot orthotics to correct flat feet or other biomechanical issues.

What Other Conditions Could Pain in the Shins Indicate?

Shin pain can point to injuries more serious than shin splints. If the pain occurs on the outside part of the leg, you may have compartment syndrome, which is a swelling of muscles closed off in a pressure-filled compartment. Surgery may be required to alleviate the pressure. If you run your finger along your shin and feel a single point of sharp pain rather than pain in a more generalized area, you may have a stress fracture in the tibia. This is a small crack in the shin bone caused by overuse, and its healing time is considerably longer than that of shin splints.

To determine if your running biomechanics are affecting your performance, explore our website to learn how RPM² works. Monitoring your running performance remotely, RPM² footbed inserts detect issues with bilateral equivalence, which can be addressed in your training regimen to enhance fluid biomechanical motion and help you achieve your athletic goals.