The ONS Foundation’s Annual 5K Run/Walk is coming up this Sunday, September 21st in Old Greenwich! ONS supporters, staff and former patients will participate in this fun-filled event. It would be great to see you all come down and enjoy a nice morning jog. Some of you may be casual joggers, others might want to participate in the local race circuit, or you might be training for the NYC Marathon.
Whether you are a casual runner, training for the marathon, or just someone who supports local causes with a 5K run…all runners are at risk of developing injuries if they are not training properly. A question I ask all my runners in the clinic is, “What else do you do for training, besides running?” More often than not, the answer is, “nothing” or “I stretch sometimes.” What many runners do not know is that research has shown an effective leg and core strengthening program can reduce the incidence of hip, knee and ankle pain.
A proper program needs to have exercises specific for running: weight bearing on one leg, focused on shock absorbing muscle groups, and emphasizing hip and core strength. Many runners feel that stretching in their training can help prevent injury. However, many injuries occur because of inherent muscle weakness, not necessarily because of tightness. To address this weakness, incorporate the exercises below into your routine: 3 times per week. Good luck with your training!
Hamstring Curls with the Ball:
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1. Lie on your back with your legs up on a ball.
2. Lift your hips, bend your knees and roll the ball in towards your buttocks.
3. Roll the ball back out and lower your hips.
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One Legged Bridges:
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1. Lie on your back with one knee bent, the other straight in the air.
2. Pushing through the bent knee, lift your hips off the ground. Lower back down.
Repeat: 3 sets of 15 reps on each leg. |
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Sideplanks:
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1. Lie on your side, heels in line with your shoulders.
2. Supporting yourself on your elbow, lift your body off the ground. Lower back down, repeat:
3. Lower back down, repeat:
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Hip Dips:
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1. Stand on your left leg only.
2. Let your trunk bend forward while extending your right leg straight back. Let your arms fall freely, keep your left knee slightly bent. Keep your stomach muscles tight and your back in neutral, bend through your hip.
3. Return to start position, repeat: 2 sets of 15 reps on each leg.
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One Legged Heel Raises:
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1. Stand off the edge of a step, letting your heel hang below the step.
2. Push up onto your toes. Lower back down slowly.
Repeat: 3 sets of 15 reps on each leg. |
Lateral Squats:
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1. Stand sideways on a step.
2. Sit your hips back and bend your knee, lowering your opposite leg to the ground. Do not let your knee fall inward and do not let it bend past your toes.
3. Lift back up and repeat: 2 sets of 15 reps |
Orthopaedic and Neurosurgery Specialists PC (ONS) is an advanced multi-specialty orthopedic and neurosurgery practice in Greenwich, CT. ONS physicians provide expertise in sports medicine, minimally invasive orthopaedic, spine and brain surgery, joint replacement and trauma. For more information, please visit www.onsmd.com.
