Latest Injury Prevention Research: Asymmetry, Strength, Flexibility, & Shoes

Learn more about Brodie's Research Database & AI Assistant 📄🔍In this episode, Brodie dives into three new studies aimed at helping runners prevent injury and understand how tech and biomechanics affect performance. Whether you're a recreational runner or an aspiring marathoner, these findings offer practical, science-backed takeaways.Featured Studies & Key InsightsAsymmetry & Bone Stress InjuriesStudy Title: Can biomechanical variables and asymmetry predict bone stress injuries in collegiate distance runners?✅ Key Finding: Even small left-to-right asymmetries may increase injury risk — particularly for female runners.🧍‍♂️ Implication: Asymmetry under 10% was still meaningful in injury prediction. Don’t ignore minor imbalances in cadence, step length, or ground reaction force.🧠 Tip: Wearables that track contact time or vertical oscillation may help identify early imbalances before pain begins.Strength & Flexibility Self-Assessments for MarathonersStudy Title: Strength and Flexibility Self-Assessment and Subsequent Training Injuries Among Recreational Runners of the NYC Marathon✅ Key Finding: The single-leg glute bridge was the only test significantly associated with injury risk.❌ Flexibility tests (sit & reach, quad stretch) and other strength tests (planks, heel raises, push-ups) had no predictive value.🏠 DIY Test: If you can’t hold a single-leg glute bridge for >20 seconds on your weaker side, your injury risk may be higher.Super Shoes & Injury RiskStudy Title: Technology Advanced Running Shoes Reduce Biomechanical Factors of Running-Related Injury Risk👟 Super shoes (like Nike Alphafly) encouraged mid/forefoot striking without increasing joint or muscle strain.✅ They reduced load on key areas like the ankle joint, soleus, and peroneus longus.❗️Minimalist shoes, on the other hand, tripled ankle joint forces and heavily loaded the calf and foot — a risk for Achilles and metatarsal injuries.⚠️ Caution: Transition slowly into super shoes or minimalist footwear. Your body needs time to adapt to new mechanics.Practical Takeaways for RunnersMonitor asymmetries using wearables or self-awareness — don’t wait for pain.Use the glute bridge hold as a simple strength test at home. Aim for >20 seconds on both sides.Super shoes aren’t just for speed — they may actually help with injury prevention, especially for habitual forefoot strikers.Avoid going cold turkey into minimalist shoes unless you're conditioned for it.📚 Want to Go Deeper?🔍 All referenced studies are stored in the Run Smarter Research Database — accessible for just $8.99/month. 💬 Plus, get access to the Run Smarter AI Assistant, which answers your running questions based on podcast episodes, papers, and course content.👉 Click here to explore membership optionsFor MORE Run Smarter Resources 🏃‍♂️📚- Including Free Injury Prevention Courses 🩹🎓- The Run Smarter Book 📖- Access to Research Papers 📄🔍- & Ways to Work with Brodie 🤝👟👉 CLICK HERE! 🎉✨