Is Running For Exercise Safe For You?
Although a great exercise and a huge calorie burn, running is highly demanding on the body. Unfortunately, many people seek out physical therapy with the opening line “I recently started running…” A recent article, “Can a Modified Y-Balance Test Predict Running Overuse Injuries over the Course of a Division I Collegiate Cross-Country Season?” published in International Journal Of Sports Physical Therapy gives us some cool data on A modified version of the Y-Balance Test (mYPBT) has some ability to help us assess if you’re at risk of an injury.
Examples of some injuries include:
· Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
· Achilles Tendinopathy
· “Shin Splints”
· Stress Fracture
According to this study, NCAA Collegiate cross-country runners who had greater than a 2.5cm reach in the forward (anterior) direction on the dominant leg compared to the non-dominant were 5.73 times more likely to have an overuse injury.
It’s important to remember that injuries are due to many unpredictable factors and no single test can definitively tell us if we are going to sustain an injury or not; however, this article gives us a great tool in the tool box to better prepare ourselves for safe and effective training and performance!
What is the modified Y-Balance Test?
“During the original test, the participant maintains balance on one leg (tested leg), while reaching their opposite leg as far as they can in three directions: anterior (AN), posteromedial (PM), and posterolateral (PL). In this study, a fourth reach direction, posterior (PO), was added and termed the modified version of the YBT.”
If you’ve had a running-related injury or struggling with pain or discomfort during running, our sports performance rehab can get you back to performing at your best! Schedule today for your evaluation!
Reference: Tao H, Thompson C, Weber S. Can a Modified Y-Balance Test Predict Running Overuse Injuries over the Course of a Division I Collegiate Cross-Country Season? Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2021 Dec 1;16(6):1434-1441.
