Spring has sprung…and you may have plans

Enthusiasm may abound

With Spring sprung, the great outdoors is calling for many and the thought of exercise springs to mind (excuse the pun!). Enthusiasm might overtake you; however, if you are changing routines, be careful of the risk of injury and try to avoid training errors.

We all have our preferences when it comes to exercise and fitness, and we appreciate that there are those who prefer not to take any action. Swimming, running, jogging and cycling as examples may be on the agenda and as the milder weather returns, these pastimes may seem more attractive. However, it’s important to be careful in your approach and to avoid potential training errors, as you will see. We have used below the example of running as an exercise, but the principle is likely sound for many other fitness programs.

A training error is when a runner increases their running volume and/or intensity too quickly, often due to preparation for an event or a new goal set by the individual. Such a rapid increase in running can cause a tissue overload, brought about solely by overuse.

There is a lot of information available for runners, aimed at helping individuals avoid injuries caused by training errors. But what information is correct or the most important to follow? Here is some basic guidance to start you off on a healthy and successful relationship with running.

Make sure you have a clear goal or objective for each run: training using metrics such as heart rate, pace or power output are all valid objective measures and can be used to progress your training program appropriately.

Record your training; distance, time and effort should all be monitored. Documentation can be quick and easy. Under or overestimation of how much training you are doing can be detrimental.

Plan your training; a healthy and balanced training plan should include more than just high intensity activity. It should include strength training as this improves overall fitness, along with the ability to perform and avoid injuries. Plan approximate weekly mileage and establish how these miles will be allocated throughout the week. A mixture of high and low intensity activity should be included each week to avoid overuse.

The 10% rule has often been adopted by runners when increasing their running mileage. To remain injury free, it states that you should not increase your weekly mileage by more than 10% over the previous week. This rule is sometimes hard to adhere to, therefore ensuring that no more than a 30% increase week on week is often observed as a good rule of thumb. It is imperative that you remain sensitive to your body and the demands you place on it. Listen to it, and progress should be linear and free of issues.

Plan your recovery; do not overlook the importance of recovery days and weeks within your training plan. Recovery is not just rest, it also includes downtime with your friends and family, nutrition and sleep. Insufficient rest causes fatigue which in turn causes a decline in performance and increases your risk of injury.

A balanced, well thought through training program should be adaptable to take into account the time, money and facilities you have available to you.

We hope this helps to demonstrate that when it comes to running, more is not necessarily more. We know that training longer does not mean we will perform better or avoid injury. Through careful planning, you can optimize your time by running quality miles, whilst reducing your risk of injury, but still achieving your goals.

Speak to your fitness adviser / instructor / professional about your exercise plans to allow you to enjoy your fitness program.  We can help signpost you to local experts if needed.

Contact Us 

If you do struggle with strains and injuries, then we are here to help with your physiotherapy and massage / reflexology needs. If you are interested in our services feel free to call us on 07309 272 555 or email Physio@Lifemadesimple.co.uk. Life Made Simple - expert physiotherapy in Guildford and Surrey.