Posted: 4/29/2007 5:26:26 PM EDT
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What are your general thoughts on running and related aerobic training? The reason I ask is that many people near me run just to get out, but many do not understand how to minimize damage to knees or how important stretching is. I usually jog on the grass next to the sidewalk to minimize impact to my knees, for example. Any other thoughts on outdoor activities as the weather gets better? |
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Please tell us more about the importance of stretching. Then check out all the modern research that is piling up that shows streching has little value in most sports. Running exclusively on pavement probably is bad, though. But it's worse to be obese (like most Americans). Pavement just happens to be the most convenient place to run, for most people. |
I do the same thing. I also don't feel the need to run 4 or 5 miles a day. I can get the 'runners high' in a mile and a half. I enjoy running against the clock rather than increasing the distance to some ridiculous death march. |
I was thinkin' about that before you posted. A few years ago (I don't remember if it was in '02 or '03) there was a controversial article brought-up in the Army times (Or Soldier magazine) (?) that said about the same thing (That streching actually INCREASED the Incidence of training injuries and LOD's than they avoided). I'm not sure how the argument ended-up but it WAS widely debated at the time. |
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Stretching doesn't matter too much (but it does feel good). A proper warm up and cool down are much more important. I only run once a week on asphault (almost never concrete). The other 4 times a week I run on a treadmill. Boring as hell, but my knees are much better off. when I retire from the army, I'll stop running and only bicycle |
The Army bought this hook-line-and-sinker, resulting in the new 'PRT drill' PT program which is essentially a repetitive-motion-injury waiting to happen... |
Same with the AF. |
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I can honestly say I personally believe I have avoided injury playing hockey through stretching prior to the game. Your mileage will clearly vary but I know my body and I do believe I've avoided pulling muscles during the game by stretching out prior to it. Hockey ain't combat I fully acknowledge  but I actually was stretching the other day and I wondered to myself, "do guys in the military stretch out before heading into combat?"
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I stretch and warm up before and after running. I normally go for about 20 to 40 miles a week depending on my schedule running 3 to 4 times, and run almost exclusively on asphalt with dirt/gravel perimeter roads thrown in here and there. I cannot stand to run on treadmills. I don't care what the weather is, I will run outside. |
| Well, evidence aside, I "feel" better if I stretch afterward. Especially my knees the day after a run. For what I understand about anatomy, it's reducing compression pressures in the knee joint. Stretching also feels better in the heel area for those prone to plantar fasciitis and heel spurs. I believe that is pretty well documented. |
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Fike, thanks for reminding us of that. I've been told that regular runners wear out their shoes in about 6 months. Not because of sole wear, but the shock absorption and support breaks down during that time. What's your preferred shoe? I tend to favor new balance. |
I have a high arch and underpronate a little so I stick with cushion shoes. I've been running in the Asics Nimbus 7s (hated the 8s) for the last year, but just recently switched to the New Balance 1061. |
I will second that. Good shoes are a must. It took me awhile before I found a pair that worked for me. After I found them, I bought several pairs. |
Having run competitivly for over 10 years in Cross Country and Track both (cross country to stay in shape, track I run the longer sprints/mid distance) and being a coach for my fourth year now, I have to agree completely. Granted, there is such a thing as over stretching, and I think this is where most the stretching related injuries come. -Ben |
