Dr. Albert J. Ryan, the editor of Physician and Sportsmedicine magazine, estimates that running can result in as many as 50 types of injury. However, a common-sense approach can go a long way toward eliminating most jogging injuries, from blisters to fractured bones. Jogging ailments usually result from:
* Overexertion. If you have chronic bone and muscle soreness and continual fatigue, you are overexerting. Slow down, skip a few days, begin at a slower pace.
* Tight Muscles. A thorough warm-up program is the key to avoiding injuries caused by right and unyielding muscles.
* Band Technique. Most running injuries occur from the knee down and can be cause by a poor running style. Such injuries can also result from a structural defect in the knee or foot. Podiatrist and orthopedists trained in sports medicine can diagnose and treat many of these conditions.
* Improper Foot Gear. A survey among serious and competitive runners showed that one in five had suffered from chondromalacia ("runner;s knee") or from Achilles tendonitis. One in 10 had developed shin splints, foot fractures, heel spurs (bony outgrowths), and breaks, strains, and bruises. In most cases, foot specialist determined that the injuries resulted from ill-fitting or incorrectly designed shoes.
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FEBRUARY 28
