Let’s chat about running and how to protect your joints.
Running is extremely beneficial for the entire body, but it can be hard on your joints. But, there are many ways to save your body from runners’ injuries. I have been a long-distance runner for over 10 years now and have completed six half marathons. Keeping my knees and other joints intact and functioning as well is important!
Shortening your stride is one way to protect your joints. It is recommended to aim for 160-190 steps per minute. Be careful not to change how your foot hits the ground. Shifting your foot strike can change the load on your Achilles tendon.
Watching your weight especially as you age can increase joint injury when running. Excess weight links to increased knee load causing injury risk in runners. This can be prevented by clean eating and regular exercise.
Replacing worn-out shoes can really benefit in saving your joints from strain. There are different running shoes that are best for reducing joint load. You need to find out what works best for you. When you get a new pair of shoes, make sure to break them in with a few short runs before going long in them.
Changing where you run and how loads are placed on joints may keep injuries at bay. Runners who do the same thing every day are more at risk than those who do. Change the surface, rough, and tempo and that will help your joints be the best they can be. I often will run on a dirt path instead of the street or hard surface to reduce impact.