Q. Is it good to run indoors??
A. Speak to your coach first. Is it mandatory for you to run? Or like other sports, which often have on and off seasons, can you consider this quarantine phase as an off season, and cross train instead? Pick any activity of your choice. Identify your weaknesses and work on them. If you are already injured, it’s the best time to teleconsult your physio and work on your recovery. It’s OK to rest a while.
Q. Still if one wishes to run, what’s the impact On hard flooring with shoes or bare foot and repeatedly pivoting turns?
A. Due to the lack running infrastructure, most of the marathoners are already used to training on all sorts of surfaces, be it tar, concrete, turf, sand and if you are lucky, then mudtracks. But don’t take home running for granted. If you have to run, land as soft as u can, take a long arc turn, alternating right/left turns and runs involving as many rooms as you have and can. Avoid sharp pivoting turns.
Q. Is it safe?
A. Yes and no. It’s Safe if you listen to your body signals. Over the past decade of treating runners, I have been left surprised at the capacity of the human body. With the right mature mind frame to listen to one’s body, and training right, the human body can harness it’s full potential.
Q. Will it lead to injury?
A. It Might. If while training, you don’t listen to the body signals of discomforting strain, niggles of pain, persisting pain beyond 4 days, which might not be soreness. Don’t skip warm ups and cool downs,
Run soft. First practice skipping with least or no sound on landing. Get the form right. Running for PBs and FB posting often leads to injury. Listen to your coach and your body.
Abhishek Bangera and team
Physiotherapists.
Five Gardens – Matunga and Tilaknagar – Chembur.