Foundational Health for Runners: Is it the Key to Minimizing Injury?

BACKGROUND

Injury rates in runners are as high as 80%. Here, we focus on the concept of foundational health including sleep, recovery, nutrition, stress and physical health and how it can reduce injuries.

METHODS

The literature was reviewed to find papers linking running injuries and athletic performance to the foundational health topics discussed.

RESULTS

There are many factors that can improve athletic performance and reduce injuries in runners other than the often-discussed topics: training philosophies, footwear, and running form. This paper shows how a multidisciplinary approach including education on sleep, rest, stress, nutrition, strength, and mobility all can improve performance and reduce injuries.

CONCLUSIONS

The care and management of an injured runner is multifactorial and the treatment should be as well. By optimizing foundational health, the sports medicine professional will not only reduce injury risk, but also improve performance and overall health.