Research shows strengthening can reduce injuries by nearly 50%

Now only 2 months to go until the SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon we take another look at running injury and research.A review in the British Journal of Sports medicine in October 2013 examined all the research regarding injury prevention in sports. Over 25,000 runners with 3464 injuries were analysed, looking specifically at the effects stretching, strengthening and balance exercises have on reducing injury.The most interesting finding was that strengthening exercises could reduce overuse injuries – which marathon runners are most aware of – by nearly 50%.It didn’t find any noticeable effect for stretching, but balance and proprioception exercises were beneficial on reducing injuries occuring.