Injury Prevention Tips and Pain Treatments for Triathletes and Runners
Triathletes and runners put themselves through some very grueling events; even the shorter sprint distance triathlons still require over 10 miles of biking and three miles of running.
Because of the physical strain from the events themselves as well as the training that leads up to them, pain treatments for triathletes and runners are crucial. Here are a few of the best ways for these kinds of athletes to help treat and prevent the stress placed on their body by the events that they love:
Get a Massage
Training for triathlons and marathons requires the use of several large groups of muscles in the body: the legs, arms, core, and so on. When these muscles become sore, it can cause serious discomfort for an athlete and could hinder their performance or training.
Massage therapy has been proven to be one of the best ways to treat pain for all types of athletes. According to research published in the Journal of Athletic Training, massage treatments can reduce the symptoms of pain from delayed-onset muscle soreness by as much as 30%.
Choose the Right Protective Gear
Triathletes and runners don’t just put a strain on their muscles; the intense training that they go through impacts many parts of the body, from the skeletal system to the circulatory system.
To protect themselves from the detrimental physical impacts of their training, it is important that triathletes and runners have the tools needed to protect their bodies. For example, if you are a runner, think about the type of running shoes you have. Are they providing you adequate support and stability based on your type of foot and stride? When you are training for the cycling portion of your triathlon, what kind of cycling shorts or shoes are you wearing to help optimize leg performance?
Think about all the different kinds of equipment you might need during a marathon or triathlon and take your time choosing the specific variety that is best for you. With the proper protection during training and competitive events, pain treatments for triathletes are runners are less necessary.
Use Natural Recovery Tools
The fitness industry has seen the development of some excellent new products that are designed to help triathletes and runners get relief from common types of pain. One great example of this is the foam roller. These tools are created to relieve the knots that naturally form during activities like running, swimming and biking. Foam rollers, for example, are particularly great for relieving tightness in the iliotibial band, a main tendon that runs from the hip to the lower leg.
Another excellent example of new recovery technology is the Marc Pro device. Marc Pro uses natural electrotherapy treatment to help speed the process of muscle recovery. Not only can the Marc Pro be one of the best recovery treatments for triathletes and runners, it can also help shorten the amount of recovery time that is needed between training and events. This can help these athletes perform their very best every time they decide to test themselves in a challenging event like a marathon or triathlon.