Why are there so many running injuries in the military?

2018-03-26T13:15:21-04:00

I’m very glad you asked!

Running injuries have plagued the Army since the 80’s when Jogging (silent “J” of course) became a fad, old ladies hit the roads in their new Nike’s, and the pinnacle of physical fitness in the Army became your ability to run a 32 minute 5-mile. Many of these injuries are caused by overuse, but even more are caused by poor running form due to excessive “heel striking.”

Everyone knows you shouldn’t do deadlift, snatches, or backsquat with crappy form because you will injure yourself, but for some reason they don’t think this concept applies to running. Proper running form is called the “Pose Method”; it requires the runner to land on the “forefoot” as opposed to the heel thus allowing your foot’s natural padding to absorb the shock.

In this article, I will guide you through a step-by-step process to changing your running form and teach you how to pick out proper running shoes to support this transition.

http://www.yourewelcome.blog/2018/03/24/stop-heel-striking/

Stop Heel Striking When You Run - You're Welcome.blog

Running injuries have plagued the Army since the 80’s when Jogging (silent “J” of course) became a fad, old ladies hit the roads in their new Nike’s, and the pinnacle of physical fitness in the Army became your ability to run a 32 minute 5-mile. Many of these injuries are caused by overuse, but even more are caused by poor running form due to excessive "heel striking." Everyone knows you shouldn’t do deadlift, snatches, or backsquat with...

Response by CPT Enrique M. made Mar 26 at 2018 1:24 PM

2018-03-26T13:24:42-04:00

I would say my opinion is that people are trying to go from 0 to hero , and doing it wrong therefore injuring themselves. This includes running.. OHHH my APFT is only once a year or every 6 months. Let me stop working out .. I'll just do it a month before the test is due , and do it with no support at all or coaching. I hate saying this but PRT is not enough , especially when doing it on the reserve side of the house.

Running badly, training badly and bam, injured with either knee problems, foot or shin problems. and this includes back.

I agree about running methods. I was a heel striker with supper bad knees. Had to get coach to help me run correctly. Now I have little to no discomfort when running.

Thanks for the article!

Response by SPC David Willis made Mar 26 at 2018 2:09 PM

2018-03-26T14:09:19-04:00

I heard it equated to how you run through the house barefoot while trying to quietly make it to the fridge for a beer at night.

Response by SGT Nathan G. made Mar 26 at 2018 2:23 PM

2018-03-26T14:23:48-04:00

I have seen a lot of athletes injure themselves by not warming up before an intense workout. Other factors include not stretching after an intense workout, doing an intense workout after many days of inactivity, not hydrating properly, and over exerting themselves to the point their body can't handle it.

So you should..
-Warm up before every workout, regardless if you think you need it or not.
-Wear proper running shoes
-Hydrate!
-Cool down after a workout
-Stretch after every workout
-Have rest days so your body can repair itself
-Only have High Intensity Training once in a while, not every day.
-Get plenty of sleep and eat balanced meals so your body has the materials to repair itself for the next time you exert efforts.

Anyways, that's my spiel about running injuries. I hope people found it helpful.

Thank you for sharing! MAJ Private RallyPoint Member

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2018 7:15 PM

2018-03-26T19:15:53-04:00

Every time I coached my Soldiers on running, I always said, "Proper shoes, proper breathing, and proper form." However, aside from lack of proper preparation and such, I believe that that the "suck it up and drive on" mentality worsens most injuries that could be prevented/mediated early on. The Army leadership has fostered the stigma that visiting the medical center is a sign of being a "profile Ranger", so most Soldiers avoid going to the medical center until they are in debilitating pain. (I was once chastised by a Drill Sergeant for having "tiny heart syndrome" for requesting a pass to the medical center.) As well, the medical staff does not always give a proper diagnosis.

Personal example: I too run on my forefoot, and I ran my whole life without a single running injury until I ran a marathon. That's when I decided to suck it up and drive on. I developed plantar fasciitis and tendonitis (two different problems). I didn't receive the full diagnosis when I did treat my injuries. The treatment worked on one injury, but I also continued to have swelling and inflammation in a specific area of my arches. For four years, I told the medical staff repeatedly that their methods were not addressing the whole issues, but they insisted that it was just the plantar fasciitis and that I should continue using the supports and such. It wasn't until I visited the podiatrist at the VA that I was properly diagnosed with tendonitis and received effective treatment. Furthermore, he did the first x-ray on my feet and determined that I have extra accessory bones in my feet from not fusing properly (a very common condition), which was the root cause of my tendonitis. Had I received the proper diagnosis and treatment, I would have not experienced so much pain and limited flexibility that directly contributed to the steep decline in my running ability over the years. I'm back on track, now, but it would have been nicer to know what I know now.

Response by SFC Thomas Butler made Mar 27 at 2018 12:10 PM

2018-03-27T12:10:10-04:00

When Commanders insist that their Soldiers run 5 days a week, it's pretty much inevitable.

Response by SGT Jeffrey Tyree made Mar 27 at 2018 4:20 PM

2018-03-27T16:20:53-04:00

so those clothing sales Reeboks I bought at Benning weren't good for my now disabled foot, knees, and back? I'll be doggone

Response by SSG Matthew Koehler made Mar 27 at 2018 4:39 PM

2018-03-27T16:39:12-04:00

A lack of qualified education early in an Army career. I eventually went to therapies, then saw a knee physician who told me what brand/model of running shoe to use. By then, the irreversible damage was done. Stress fractures in the shins, arthroscopy to both knees, and eventually arthroplasty to one knee. When asked to provide guidance to someone thinking about joining the military, one thing I tell them is to have their running shoes professionally fitted to their foot style. I also tell them if they sustain any injuries related to running in the military, get seen, get it documented, and make personal copies. It will help with the VA down the road.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2018 9:38 PM

2018-03-27T21:38:34-04:00

Cause that’s what we do the most.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2018 11:41 PM

2018-03-27T23:41:10-04:00

Because some Soldiers in the Army think it’s a great idea to run a 10k every day. I try my hardest not to run more than 3.5 miles at a time/twice a week. If I have to run 3 miles in combat something is SERIOUSLY wrong.

Response by SGT John Griep made Mar 28 at 2018 5:17 AM

2018-03-28T05:17:55-04:00

In the 80s we always ran as a company, in formation. The absolute worse thing for a guy that is 6'4" and a 5:20 mile
I shattered an ankle in a pothole, had to have a couple pins put in, all from running in a formation,and not being able to see what was coming my way. People need to run at their pace and need to be able to run so they are landing properly. Landing on the front of the foot leads to shin splints and muscle strains. When you see troops walking funny after group runs, that should be your sign that it is not good.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 28 at 2018 9:04 PM

2018-03-28T21:04:58-04:00

I coach all of my soldiers on proper running techniques, and how/where to gind proper shoes. Everyone knows soldiers in general hate running, but i now have soldiers asking for more and/or longer runs now that they know how to run. Only a handful ever fall out of 10 mile runs, and almost never a fall out on shorter runs.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 28 at 2018 9:42 PM

2018-03-28T21:42:23-04:00

Improper conditioning

Response by PVT Mark Zehner made Oct 16 at 2018 2:40 PM

2018-10-16T14:40:04-04:00

Had to run everywhere including morning pt no choice! Remember hurry up and wait? Without proper stretching and cool down problems can occur!

Response by SGT Tony Page made May 7 at 2019 7:52 PM

2019-05-07T19:52:57-04:00

We've come so far from my late 70s PT...OG-507 pants, white T-shirt and combat boots! But I agree with several posts here that minimal time was ever given to properly equipped soldiers at PT...floppy ass Converse or torn up Nikes...whatever. And let's not forget things like forced peer runs in structural settings where you cannot fail. BNCOC in 85 where one student pissed off the cadre and they took us down a range road that turned into a half marathon (It was cause the CSM was running with us that day). CSM fell out along with all but 2 of the cadre...I think about half the class ended up on profile for a week. Good Times...NOT!!