Physical Therapy Running Course

Highlights from this Online Education Course

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this curse the participant will be able to

• Perform a postural screen from the foot up to rule out faulty joint positioning and muscle imbalances and to identify any bony abnormalities that may impact gait.
• Identify specific special and functional tests to utilize during your initial biomechanical exam and understand how all the segments in the kinetic chain influence each other.
• Perform range of motion, palpation manual muscle testing and tissue extensibility testing for the pelvic regional and lower extremity and correlate how the results will impact your client’s running gait.
• Describe how restrictions in one area of the kinetic chain can lead to dysfunction in another region of the body and how that can impact a runner's gait.
• Perform a running gait analysis on a treadmill.
• Apply critical thinking skills to correlate your musculoskeletal and functional deficits findings to how they impact the runner’s gait.
• Identify the components of a gait analysis and what is needed to be a faster runner while minimizing injuries.
• Utilize a metronome when training a runner to maintain a specific cadence.
• Discuss the different styles of running and which style is the most efficient from barefoot running to shoe running.
• Discuss the different types of runners--from midfoot runners to heel-striking runners to toe-striker runners--and understand the implication of each form on injuries and function.
• Discuss what optimal cadence is for a runner.
• Develop rehab programs to promote neuromuscular re-education.
• Utilize techniques to improve joint and fascial mobility, stability and functional movement .
• Develop a comprehensive rehab program that incorporates improving range of motion, flexibility, balance, stability functional mobility and running gait.
• Explain the importance of tissue pliability and self-stretching to your client, as well as the importance of incorporating techniques to improve and maintain tissue extensibility into each run.
• Identify that each runner will present with a specific dysfunction(s) and that programs must be individualized in order to maximize the compliancy and benefits of a rehab program.

Learn from an Expert

Keith Christianssen, PT, ATC, MTC attended San Diego State University, where he majored in Athletic Training and earned an Athletic Training Certification. Keith went on to obtain his degree in Physical Therapy from Northwestern Medical School in Chicago, and a Certification in Manual Therapy from the University of St. Augustine in Florida. He is also a certified coach through USA Track and Field, is level II tactical certified in TRX training, and is working on a tactical strength and conditioning certification. For the past 20 years, Keith has taught nationally and internationally on the topics of joint mobilization, athletic training skills, biomechanics of the lower extremity, running, and orthotics fabrication.

Biomechanical Assessment and Functional Testing

• The evaluation
• Determine the level of runner
• Postural assessment and alignment
• Special tests
• Anatomical assessment rule out bony abnormalities
• Functional tests

Testing in Supine, Sidelying and Prone

• Supine:Essential range of motion
• Supine:Muscle testing
• Supine:Fascial palpation for foot and ankle
• Sidelying: Knee and hip
• Prone testing: Ankle to hip
• Tissue extensibility
• Determining progression of tests based upon evaluation findings

Osteokinematics, Arthrokinematics of Ankle

• General Conversation About the Importance of Tissue Pliability
• Windlass Mechanism

Review of Evaluation Findings and How to Begin a Treatment Plan

• Identify the key areas that need immediate focus
• How to develop a progressive plan

Running Mechanics

• Bad running mechanics
• Preferred running style
• Barefoot running
• Shod running
• Heel strike runners
• Mid foot runners
• What makes a runner fast?
• What is the clients goal of running? That determines your approach
• Healthy runner vs injured runner

Running Video Gait Analysis

• View in two planes
• Optimal running cadence
• Position of calcaneus and talus when it hits the ground through heel off
• Observe the whole body
• Review of evaluation findings from the gait analysis
• Developing a plan based upon the gait analysis and biomechanical assessment
• Visual Examples of running styles

Training and Exercises

• Cadence training
• Lower Extremity range of motion
• Organizing the overall treatment approach
• Four principles of rehabilitation
• Proper stretching techniques
• Proper performance of exercises to get maximum benefits
• How to determine quantity of exercises to prescribe
• Balance exercises
• Case study review

Treatment for Fascial Restrictions

• Iliotibial band
• Determined need to mobilize and stretch specific muscle groups

Treatment Techniques to Work on Running Mechanics

• Tissue extensibility and pliability
• Drills
• Combining drills

Putting it all Togther

• Summary of the class
• Overview of how to apply the information to any client
• Time parameters for activities and progression

Course Test - Evaluate your knowledge and meet Continuing Education Requirements

• 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.