Form Running or Interval Training- Which is More Effective?

Most runners utilize interval training, or alternating short and intense running intervals with recovery periods, to improve speed, endurance, motivation, and even to burn more fat in workouts. Running form drills are another method long utilized by track coaches to improve performance.  These drills are increasingly popular among recreational runners to help decrease injuries from technique.  But do they really help? This … Read More

What is Running Economy and Does Stretching Improve it?

Running economy has been called the “secret” to running faster and farther in a race.  It’s basically how efficiently your body uses oxygen.  Think of two runners in a race, neck-and-neck during the last mile.  One runner is breathing normally and the other is gasping for air.  The runner who isn’t sucking wind has the greater running economy and will likely win. … Read More

Research Roundup: Improve Your Soccer Performance With Plyometrics and Sprint Training

Ever wondered how to take your soccer skills to the next level?  Footskills and tactical training are important, but adding plyometrics and sprint training give you the explosiveness to beat a defender to the ball.  This week’s study from the Journal of Strength and Conditioning  shows the effect of this training on youth soccer players.   The researchers divided young … Read More

Getting to the Bottom of Hip Pain

Is hip pain keeping you from spinning, running or weight training?  You aren’t alone.  Nagging hip injuries affect 15% of the population.  Hip pain is common in athletes, causing many to scale back on mileage or limit squats, lunges, or other strength training exercises.   But if treated correctly, athletes can often return to full activity. Here’s what to do … Read More

Research Roundup: All About the Glutes

The glutes-  everyone’s favorite muscle.  Let’s be honest- there’s no song called “I like big calves and I cannot lie.”  Or “All about that neck” (no treble!).   But strong glutes don’t just look nice in jeans-  they prevent injury, improve performance, and increase running speed. Sadly, for the amount of attention we give our butts, the majority of us … Read More

RESEARCH ROUNDUP: Why Proper Form matters for Strength Training and Running

This week’s pair of articles are from the Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy.  The first one discusses the effect of posture on a commonly used hip strengthening exercise.  The second talks about running gait re-training which is becoming more common in rehab and prevention of running injuries.  Enjoy the new knowledge below and contact CLE Sports PT with any … Read More

Concussion Series Part 5: Do Concussions Cause Other Injuries?

I’ve been working with concussion patients for a few years now… I’ve also presented on the topic of concussions in female athletes twice nationally.  When I was prepping my first talk, I came across this article.   College athletes who suffered a non-contact ACL injury scored lower than their non-injured teammates on a test of verbal memory, processing speed, and … Read More

Concussion Series Part 4: Does Neck Strengthening Prevent Injury?

Neck strengthening programs are the Sports Medicine community’s newest weapon in combatting the concussion epidemic.  Syracuse University’s football team made news in 2012 when the program implemented a neck strengthening program in 2012, attempting to cut the number of concussions.  While many Sports Medicine Experts recommend revisions to Syracuse’s program – more on this later- it has still been considered a … Read More

The Concussion Series- Part 2: Concussions in Female Athletes

The gender gap in US sports continues…   Despite the heroics the US Women’s Soccer Team displayed at the World Cup this summer (in stark contrast to the Men’s Gold Cup loss to Jamaica a few weeks later), data continues to mount showing that female soccer players have more concussions than men and have symptoms for a longer period. Check out these staggering … Read More