The Running Injury Specialist: A Master Class
What you'll learn
- Evolution of Running
- Running Biomechanics
- Running-Related Injuries
- Injury-Prevention and Performance Exercises
- Return-to-Running Following Injury
- Common Questions, Misconceptions, and Takeaways
- Exercise Prescription and Program Design for Runners
- Treadmill Running Assessment
Requirements
- Basic understanding of human anatomy and physiology.
Description
As a physical therapist, you know that running injuries are all too common. Whether it's a sprained ankle, a strained muscle, or something more serious, runners come to you for help. Improving your understanding of running-related injuries and running-specific exercise prescription can not only help your clinical outcomes but also help you to:
Create a clinical niche
Work with more active populations
Garner referrals from fitness professionals
Improve word-of-mouth engagement
Market to cash pay clientele seeking specialty care from an expert
This course covers a wide range of topics from assessing running mechanics to designing customized exercise programs so that you can improve your ability to work with runners at every stage of the rehabilitation process. With a focus on evidence-informed practice, you'll gain the knowledge and confidence to deliver effective, efficient care to your patients.
COURSE SYLLABUS
Module 1: Evolution Of Running
1.1 Homo Sapiens as a Bipedal Species
1.2 Understanding Persistence Hunting
1.3 Musculoskeletal Adaptations for Running
1.4 Human Potential: Extreme Performances
Module 2: Running Biomechanics
2.1 Gait Phases of Running
2.1a Initial Contact
2.1b Mid-Stance
2.1c Toe Off
2.1d Mid-Swing
2.3 Understanding Ground-Reaction Forces
2.4 Loading Differences And Injury Variances Between Rearfoot Strike and Forefoot Strike
Module 3: Running-Related Injuries
3.1 Overall Injury Incidence of Running-Related Injuries
3.2 Cost of Running-Related Injuries
3.3 Mechanisms of Running-Related Injuries
3.3a Tissue Demand versus Tissue Capacity
3.4 Most Common Injuries (with Relevant Treatment Pearls)
3.4a Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
3.4b Distal Iliotibial Band Syndrome
3.4c Plantar Fasciopathy
3.4d Meniscal Injury
3.4e Tibial Stress Syndrome
Module 4: Injury Prevention & Performance Exercises
4.1 Importance of Strength Training for Runners
4.2 Incorporating Strength Training into Programming for Runners
4.3 Four Priorities for Supportive Strength Training
4.3a Activation/Neuromuscular Control
4.3b Max Strength
4.3c Load Attenuation
4.3d Reactive Strength
4.4 Foot Intrinsic Muscle Strengthening
4.5 Movement Preparation
4.6 Sample Programming
Module 5: Return-To-Running Following Injury
5.1 Assessment
5.1a When is It Safe to Return to Running?
5.1b ACL Reconstruction Considerations
5.1c Concussion Considerations
5.1d Breaking-Point Test
5.2 Training Progression
Module 6: Common Questions, Misconceptions, And Takeaways
6.1 Foot Posture
6.2 Running Footwear
6.2a Heel Drop
6.2b Minimalist versus Motion Control
6.2c Orthotics
6.2d Footwear Transitioning Timelines
6.2e Consideration of Running Mechanics when Choosing Footwear
6.3 Cadence
6.4 Treadmill versus Overground
6.5 Running during Pregnancy
6.6 Running and Osteoarthritis
Module 7: Exercise Prescription and Program Design For Runners
7.1 Overview of Program Design
7.2 Phase 1: Activation Exercises
7.3 Phase 2: Strength Exercises
7.4 Phase 3: Load-Attenuation Exercises
7.5 Phase 4: Reactive-Strength Exercises
7.6 Example Client Programming with Downloadable Templates
Module 9: Running Gait Assessment Using OnForm
8.1 Posterior View
8.2 Lateral View
8.3 Anterior View
*This course provides information and instruction on the assessment and treatment of common running-related injuries. It is intended for licensed healthcare professionals, including but not limited to physicians, physical therapists, athletic trainers, and chiropractors, with appropriate training and scope of practice. The information presented in this course is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is essential for clinicians to use their own clinical judgment and consider the individual patient's needs when applying the techniques and information taught in this course.
Who this course is for:
- Any clinician or coach interested in working with runners.
Instructor
Nick Schumacher, PT, DPT, SCS, OCS, FAAOMPT, CSCS is a physical therapist and running/fitness coach. Nick graduated from Boston University as a Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2016. In 2017, Nick completed the Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) in Boston, where he received further training in the management of musculoskeletal injuries. He achieved Board Certification as a Clinical Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy (OCS) in 2018. In 2021, Nick furthered his sports-specific training by completing the Kaiser Permanente Sports & Manual Therapy Fellowship in Los Angeles and achieving Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy (FAAOMPT) in 2022. Ninch is Board Certified in Sports Physical Therapy (SCS). In addition to his physical therapy training, Nick earned certification as a Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) in 2014.
Nick currently is the head physical therapist for military special operations in Tampa, FL and owns his own running-specific practice.
As an elite obstacle course racer, distance runner, and former D1 collegiate runner, Nick can relate to his athletes suffering from injuries or looking for peak performance.