• Menu
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content

RunPhys.com

Physics...Physiology...Physical Therapy

  • Blog
  • Injury Prevention
  • About
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Injury Prevention
  • About
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Injury Prevention
  • About
  • Contact

Uncategorized

Video: Deep hip flexor stretch for more efficient running

June 10, 2018 //  by Mike//  Leave a Comment

If I’ve never heard of a muscle, does that mean I don’t have to give it any attention? Unfortunately, our muscles have minds of their own. They will make their presence known whether we like it or not!

Today we’re focusing on a deep hip flexor muscle known as the iliacus. It often is grouped together with the psoas and collectively referred to the iliopsoas…sorry to get geeky so quick! The iliacus is located deep in your lower abdomen but attaches deep in the groin. It is a very important muscle for hip stability, as well as health of the sacroiliac joints.

Wait, a hip flexor muscle affecting a joint just below my low back?! Yes indeed, the iliacus muscle shares deep attachments to many of the ligaments that hold the sacroiliac joints together. If the iliacus is not happy, the SI joint will likely not move correctly.

So, pay attention to the subtleties we add to your typical hip flexor stretch in today’s video. These small changes make a big difference to target the iliacus muscle.

If you want to avoid the bad habits that tight hip flexors will cause, including muscle strains, low back pain, and SI pain, then this stretch should find it’s way into your weekly routine.

As always, please share this with a friend and let me know how it works for you. Please holler with any other suggestions for topics you would like to see covered. Also, check out the facebook page for live interactive sessions!

Category: Uncategorized

Video: Best Way to Stretch Your Quadriceps

January 28, 2018 //  by Mike//  Leave a Comment

Are your quads firing like they should? How do you know if they’re behaving properly? If your knees, calves, or hips are giving you trouble, chances are your quadriceps are not as strong and flexible as they should be.

Hang around a group of runners before and after a run and you’ll likely see a bunch of half-hearted attempts to pull heels to butts, just like we learned in PE class. The problem with the old way is that it stresses your kneecap and doesn’t really get much of a stretch. Today’s video shows a better way to stretch your quads, which will take stress off your patella and make life happier for your calves, hamstrings, and hips.

All too often we make dealing with patellofemoral pain (pain around the kneecap) way too complicated. The first line of defense often needs to simply be stretching properly, in a way that gets all 4 muscles involved, and doesn’t stress the ligaments around your kneecap.

Check out the video and drop me a line to let me know how these work for you!

As always, please share with a friend and check out the facebook page for a live session wednesday evening going more in-depth with the how and why of quad flexibility!

Category: Flexibility, Knees, Uncategorized

Video: Plyometrics Routine to increase your efficiency

November 18, 2017 //  by Mike//  Leave a Comment

We all want to run more efficiently. Essentially, getting from point A to point B as quickly as possibly, using the least amount of energy possible. How quickly we can transition from landing to pushing off with every step is a critical determinant of our ability to run well and ability to avoid injuries.

A great way to develop efficiency in this way is to sprinkle plyometric exercises into your weekly routine. This will help you develop power more quickly as you run. Today’s video covers a handful of running specific plyometric exercises that you can do anywhere, anytime.

The slower you are to push off, the slower you run and more injury-prone you will likely be. These exercises are an excellent way to injury proof your season! Please share this with your running group or any other friends who will find it helpful. Run fast friends!

Category: Run Form, Uncategorized

Do sprinters and distance runners need to be treated differently?

March 25, 2017 //  by Mike//  Leave a Comment

Running is all the same right? Mostly yes, the overall biomechanics are very similar, but there are a couple critical differences that we need to consider between running at top speed and at slower speeds. Understanding the differences will help us better prepare for running at all speeds and avoiding injuries. Today’s video sheds light on why sprinters tend to have different types of injuries than distance runners as well!

This is the topic for today’s video, which is relevant to sprinters and distance runners who want that extra gear for a strong finish! Check it out and let me know how it helps you this season!

Category: Uncategorized

Video: Addressing calf tightness on your own

October 28, 2016 //  by Mike//  Leave a Comment

Tight Calves are a common lament among runners. I frequently hear about how runners, from beginners to experts, constantly battle tightness in their calf muscles. There are multiple underlying factors that can contribute to this, but at the end of the day, running thousands of steps are a big burden to all your muscles…but the calves can especially take the brunt of this. Because of this, routine maintenance of your calf muscles is extremely helpful for keeping you going.

Today’s video covers three simple ways to stay on top of your calf flexibility. If you find these helpful please let me know and share this video with anyone who struggles with calf tightness. Enjoy!

Category: Uncategorized

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Page 2
  • Page 3
  • Page 4
  • Go to Next Page »
  • Blog
  • Injury Prevention
  • About
  • Contact

Copyright © 2025 RunPhys.com · All Rights Reserved · Powered by Mai Theme