Running Injuries: Strategies for Prevention and Intervention Online CE Course

Course components can be delivered as printed products or online:

• Workbook

• Continuing education exam

Fifty percent of runners have running-related injuries every year. The Running Injuries: Strategies for Prevention and Intervention CE Course will help you identify the most common injuries, conditions, and discomforts associated with running as well as the intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors that may predispose a runner to injury. It details information on the biomechanics of running and strength and flexibility exercises to address the needs of clients at risk for and recovering from injuries of the hip, knee, and lower leg. You will learn training considerations, such as cross-training and alternative exercises, for both healthy and recuperating runners.

Course Objectives

• Determine the intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors that may predispose a runner to injury.

• Identify the muscles, ligaments, bones, and other supporting structures of the hip, knee, and ankle and foot in relation to the most common running injuries that occur at these joints.

• Describe the kinematic differences between walking and running as well as the sex-specific differences in lower-extremity mechanics during running.

• Explain the running gait cycle and its subphases.

• Identify the most common injuries, conditions, and discomforts associated with running.

• Teach appropriate strength and flexibility exercises to meet the needs of clients at risk for or recovering from certain running injuries.

• Educate clients on suitable running footwear specific to their foot types and provide tips for proper shoe selection.

• Understand the proper use of and the differences between orthotics and inserts for runners.

• Discuss the importance of cross-training and alternative exercises for both healthy and recuperating runners.

• Recognize the risks and understand training considerations for the barefoot, entry-level, marathon, and older running populations.

Erin Erb Hughes, MSPT, CPT, graduated summa cum laude from Boston University in 1996 with a bachelor of science degree in health studies. In 1998, she completed her master of science degree in physical therapy from the same university. Since that time she has been a practicing physical therapist in Virginia, Maryland, Kansas, and Texas and has worked with a variety of patient populations in numerous settings, including home health care, hospital acute care, and outpatient orthopedics.

Hughes has been certified as a personal trainer through the National Strength and Conditioning Association since 2000. In 2002, she joined the Desert Southwest Fitness team of course reviewers and is the author of the correspondence courses Foam Roller Fitness, Exercise for Knee and Hip Replacement, Shoulder Girdle Stabilization, and the study guide for Low Back Injury Prevention and Rehab. She has also authored a number of articles for Advance for Physical Therapists.

"This course helped me to recognize symptoms of possible running injuries in my training group and emphasize the gradual buildup of running mileage, intensity, and duration. I also gained more information regarding patellofemoral pain."

J. Madsen—Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia

"I provide cross-training activities for runners. Through this course I have gained specific knowledge of injuries and prevention of injuries to better assist them."

J. Soukup—Duluth, MN

"I will be able to offer more current information and advice on running issues to my clients."

A. Kaita—Delta, BC, Canada