Injury-Free Running

Injury-Free Running: How to Build Strength, Improve Form, and Treat/Prevent Injuries
Thomas C. Michaud
Newton, Massachusetts
Newton Biomechanics, 2013
213 pages
www.humanlocomotion.org

In early 2012, Dr. Michaud had sent me a copy of the latest edition of his book, Human Locomotion: The Conservative Management of Gait-Related Disorders. Rich in both content and complementary illustrations, Human Locomotion is a book that I find myself frequently referring back to in order to improve my understanding of the evolution of human gait as well as both the pathophysiology and treatment of gait related-disorders. Admittedly though, I have yet to read the book cover to cover as I try to with most texts.

See review of Human Locomotion by Jason Brown, DC.

(Patrick Ward had also written a review but due to website security issues recently, the review can no longer be accessed)

As a follow-up to Human Locomotion, Dr. Michaud recently released his newest book, Injury-Free Running: How to Build Strength, Improve Form, and Treat/Prevent Injuries. Thanks to a heads up from Joe Heiler of SportsRehabExpert.com and a discount code, I purchased the book earlier this month and completed it within one week.

In contrast to the original, this book is targeted directly toward recreational runners. A condensed and easy to read version with a similar template, Injury-Free Running begins with a chapter introducing the anatomy of the human body not unlike one you would find in an introductory university-level anatomy course. Interestingly though, in addition to identifying muscles by their names in the illustrations, Michaud also provides the Greek/Latin origins of each to provide greater meaning and understanding.

Like Human Locomotion, a chapter on the evolution of running was integrated into this book. Although condensed and laid in a manner that is easy to both follow and remember, this chapter provides the reader with the "why" behind the "what". For example, why our ilia lies more sagittal in contrast to a more frontal orientation seen in our ancestors.

Chapters three, four and five discuss the biomechanics of walking and running as well as what Dr. Michaud considers the "perfect gaits" and risk factors for injuries of each. Finally, the final two chapters discuss how to select the "ideal" running shoe as well as self-management protocols for common running injuries.

Personally, I found this book to be a nice and simple resource that complements Human Locomotion. As a clinician who works extensively in the sport of athletics, I found Human Locomotion to be much more valuable to expanding my knowledge of this topic. However, again this book was targeted to the end user. That said, because of its simplicity, I found it to be a nice review particularly in regards to evolution and biomechanics.

So for those of you who are clinicians and are interested in learning more about running injuries, I do believe Injury-Free Running would be a nice introduction and/or review.

For more information about Dr. Michaud, please visit www.humanlocomotion.org.

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