Strength & Foam Rolling on Running Injuries

The Run Smarter Podcast

Episode Summary: This episode delves into a 2023 research paper that examined how an 18-week program of strength exercises and foam rolling impacted the injury rates of recreational runners. Brodie breaks down the study's methodology, results, and key takeaways, offering runners actionable insights into injury prevention through targeted strength work and foam rolling techniques.

Key Takeaways:

• Strength Training Reduces Injury Risk: The research found that runners who performed strength exercises focused on key muscle groups (hip abductors, quadriceps, foot supinators) twice a week had a significantly lower risk of injury compared to those who did not.
• Foam Rolling Shows Mixed Results: Foam rolling has shown inconsistent outcomes across studies, but this particular intervention suggests that combining strength exercises with foam rolling may improve injury resilience.
• Compliance Matters: The study found that runners who adhered closely to the injury prevention program had an 85% lower risk of injury compared to a control group. Conversely, low-compliance runners were almost twice as likely to get injured.
• Foam Rolling's Role in Recovery: Brodie shares how the research shifted his perspective on foam rolling, citing that while its benefits for flexibility and recovery are not always clear, it may play a role in reducing trigger points and injury risk.
• Injury Prevention Recommendations: By integrating strength training and foam rolling consistently, runners can significantly extend their "injury-free" running days and potentially decrease the likelihood of developing running-related injuries.

Actionable Advice for Runners: Runners can incorporate strength training exercises like single-leg squats, forward lunges, side steps with resistance bands, and foam rolling sessions targeting key lower body muscles to help reduce their injury risk. Consistency and compliance with these exercises are crucial for seeing tangible results.

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