Physical Therapy Running Courses

Highlights of this Online Continuing Education Course - The Running Course ® Series

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this class, the participant will be able to:

• Identify the latest information in evaluation and treatment techniques for runners and running injuries.
• Identify the foundation of running biomechanics and functional anatomy.
• Develop a comprehensive intake form that encompasses several key areas to identify in the runner’s history to provide the groundwork for a comprehensive examination to determine the root cause of the dysfunction.
• Identify specific questions and answers on the intake form that will alert a red flag.
• Identify key tests to utilize during the objective examination to obtain information for targeted evaluation versus a global evaluation approach.
• Perform a proper postural screen to assess asymmetries, boney abnormalities, joint hyper or hypomobility, screening for anything that may contribute to faulty running mechanics.
• Describe how Q angle can influence shin injuries.
• Perform a functional movement screen to rule out reasons the runner may not be a good participant in physical therapy, to ascertain the runner’s preferred movement patterns and to try to tease out tissues that are painful.
• Perform a running-specific functional movement assessment to rule out or in dysfunction that may be leading to the root cause of the issue.
• Perform specific tests to rule out the spine, hip, knee and ankle as the contributing factor(s) for lower extremity pain, weakness and/or dysfunction.
• Describe the hypothesis-driven inverted pyramid approach to evaluation.
• Describe the pyramid approach to treatment progression with the base of the pyramid being neuromuscular activation progressing to below-threshold strengthening, motor control and task training.
• Develop a progressive treatment program that encompasses all the layers of the pyramid: neuromuscular activation progressing to below-threshold strengthening, motor control and task training.
• Develop exercise programs at different stages of training to work specific muscles at appropriate percentages of MVIC (Maximal Volitional Isometric Contraction).
• Develop a treatment program for specificity of training, incorporating specific exercises for targeted training.
• Describe the important components/equipment needed for a proper runner’s gait analysis.
• Perform a two-dimensional video gait analysis of the runner with an emphasis on breaking down the runner’s form from the anterior, lateral and posterior views.
• Analyze and correlate biomechanical examination findings with a two-dimensional video gait analysis in order to apply evidence-based, running-specific exercises to treat the runner’s biomechanical impairments.
• Utilize a metronome and faded feedback design in the rehab program to improve the runner's gait.

Learn From the Expert - Jeffery Taylor-Haas, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS

Jeff Taylor-Haas, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS is a sports physical therapist at Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. Dr. Taylor-Haas obtained a Master of Physical Therapy degree from Saint Louis University in 2004 and is a board certified orthopedic specialist in physical therapy from the American Physical Therapy Association. He is also a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist from the National Strength & Conditioning Association and an Adjunct Faculty member at the College of Mount Saint Joseph University in Cincinnati, Ohio for the department of physical therapy.

A Passion for Running

Introduction to Jeff Taylor-Haas, Jeff discusses his history of running and his passion for working with runners.

Jeff treats runners and athletes of all ages and all levels of competitiveness. He specializes in performing a 2-D video gait analysis, fabricating orthotics, performing a functional lower extremity biomechanical examination and providing all patients with a comprehensive, evidence-based treatment approach. An avid runner, Dr. Taylor-Haas has completed multiple marathons and half-marathons, including the Boston Marathon, and has a special interest in running injury prevention.

Jeff’s techniques as a therapist have evolved over time due to new evidence-based research, best clinical practices and his experience as an avid runner. His approach to treating the injured runner is continually changing and perfecting which leads to more effective techniques to evaluate and treat the injured runner.

Important Components of the Intake Form and Subjective Exam

Important questions to ask on the subjective evaluation and key elements of the subjective history.

• Critical pieces for runners on the intake form such as to to ask about the surface they run on and his or her sleep quality.
• Understanding the previous use of orthotics by the runner.
• Developing a targeted approach with your objective examination.

The importance of the postural screen

The importance of the postural screen

• Postural screen involving the feet
• Postural screen involving the knees and understanding the Q angle

Functional movement screen

Functional movement screen

• Beighton screen
• Heel and toe walking
• Double leg squat
• Single leg squat
• Single leg stance
• Gastroc-soleus endurance
• Functional lunge test
• Assessing the length of the gastroc, soleus and talocrural joint mobility

Understanding the details of the Functional Screen

• How to rule out Discogenic pain
• How to rule out proximal causes of pain
• How to rule out the femoral acetabular joint for the cause of hip groin or LE pain
• Review of the FABER Test
• How to clear the knee joint

Understanding the details of the Functional Screen

• Understanding lateral hip pain
• Stress fracture tests
• Specificity test for labral tear
• IT Band Syndrome
• Understanding Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
• Investigating achilles tendinopathy

Developing a customized runners treatment program

• Describing the Inverted Pyramid Approach to Evaluation and Treatment
• Understanding neuromuscular activation of the Glutes
• Five exercises for IT Band Syndrome or Greater Trochanter Pain Syndrome
• Going beyond neuromuscular activation to muscular hypertrophy
• Integrating the Single leg dead lift exercise

Integrating exercises into the runners treatment plan

• Exercise to treat patients with anterior knee pain
• Overview of essential core exercises
• Motor Control Training
• Retraining for excessive valgus when fatigued
• Utilizing the Bosu rehabilitation of the runner
• Double leg plyometric training
• Progressing Plyometric activities

Performing 2D Gait analysis

• Partial task training
• Running gait analysis
• Preparing for 2D gait analysis
• Basic Treadmill set up, What differentiates a good treadmill form an average one?
• Treadmill gait assessment

The proper equipment for gait analysis

• Step rate manipulation
• Equipment for gait analysis
• Four main errors that you’re likely to see your runner demonstrate during your running gait analysis.
• Faded feedback design build up for your patients.

Course Test - Evaluate your knowledge

• Use the Healthclick proprietary online education system which provides the online student with:
• Worldwide access to high definition video, anatomical animations and images, and written information
• The highest quality film in the industry, you can see the difference!
• Stop and resume within a course, the Healthclick system will optimize your course based on your device, connection and remembers where you left off.
• Real-time course updates. We are always adding to each courses, updating content, adding animations, these are not static courses!
• Evaluate your knowledge with the course test on any device.
• Print your state course certificate for CE credit.
• Take the online test as many times as need in order to achieve a 70 % or greater score.