Blog

Managing Knee Osteoarthritis for Runners

Posted by Alex Hetherington CP on March 26, 2013

The Starting Line:  For knee osteoarthritis, what can be done for the pain, and should you keep running?   Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders, and a leading cause of knee pain and disability. It is characterized by the degeneration of articular cartilage at the knee joint. Knee OA more often affects the medial compartment (inside of knee) because of the greater loa...

+ more

Calcium Affects More Than Just Bones

Posted by Andrea Hacker MS, RD on March 18, 2013

The Starting Line:  Is calcium good for your bones, but bad for your heart?   Calcium is the most abundant mineral in our bodies, and it is 99% stored in our bones. When we do not get enough calcium through diet, the body will take it from our bones to maintain necessary blood calcium levels. Over time, this loss of calcium from the bones can result in low bone density. Peak bone mass is reached by 30 year...

+ more

Fueling Before a Race

Posted by Andrea Hacker MS, RD on March 11, 2013

The Starting Line:  What is the best way to fuel on the morning of a race?   Whether you are running a 5K or a marathon, every runner should have a plan for what they are going to eat and drink on the morning of race day. The same way that a race car needs a full tank of gas before the race, a runner needs proper fuel before competition. The goal of eating before a race is to guarantee that your body has a...

+ more

Natural Running

Posted by Nicole Haas PT, DPT, OCS on March 4, 2013

The Starting Line:  Is there one right way to run naturally?   There is a growing trend in research toward running barefoot and landing on the forefoot as a way to reduce injury. This research indicates that due to the discomfort of landing on a bare heel, the transition to a forefoot strike happens naturally when you kick off your shoes. There is also a growing consensus that running in minimalist shoes ...

+ more

Effects of Endurance Running in Pre-teens

Posted by Anthony Luke MD, MPH on February 26, 2013

The Starting Line:  Should pre-teen athletes run endurance events?   Recent debate has flared over what age is appropriate for children to start participating in marathons and half-marathons. In the past, runners had to be 18 years old, but now most races allow younger athletes to participate. So far these younger runners seem to have participated without abnormal health risks, but some argue that it is be...

+ more