Running with Less Flexibility May Prove Beneficial

RunningResearch held at the University of Cape Town, South Africa focused on the correlation between the COL5A1 gene and flexibility to see if it had an effect on performance while running.

The study used participants from the 56K Two Oceans ultra-marathon, testing to see the differences between runners who possess the COL5A1 gene and those who do not.

Runners who have the COL5A1 gene were shown to run better than those who did not. However, those with COL5A1 also had less flexibility than those without the gene. The lack of flexibility proves to be beneficial, as tighter muscle fibers enable a runner to maintain any pace at a lower energy cost.

Stretching your feetis an easy and effective antidote for foot pain. If you are experiencing problems with foot pain, see chiropodist Marz Hardy of Academy Foot and Orthotics Clinics. Marz Hardy can help you with you with all your foot and ankle needs.

Giving Your Feet the Stretch It Needs

Foot pain is very common for people. Our feet carry the entire weight of the human body all day and can be easily strained from overexertion. The feet can receive cramping which can be from any number causes. Pain in the feet can be alleviated without medication and or doctor visits.

How stretching helps:

Stretching relaxes the feet and eases pain whenever performed. It is important to perform stretching slowly and gradually with no force. Stretching should only be held for several seconds, and then relaxed.

Tips to Performing the Perfect Stretch:   

Sit and cross one leg over the other by pulling the toes carefully back without overextending. Start by resting the left ankle on the right knee. With the left hand, gently flex the left foot by pulling back on the toes. Do not pull too hard, just hard enough to feel the stretch in the arch of the foot. Then point the toes of the left foot as far as you can. Rotate the motion of pointing with pulling back on the toes.

The stretch should be performed 10 to 20 times. Repeat the whole process with the other leg.

To learn more about Stretching the Feet, follow the link below.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office in Toronto, ON. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries.

Read more about Stretching the Feet.

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