RunningPhysio

04/02/2026

Does inflammation play a role in tendinopathy? 🤔

We had moved away from it but recent research is suggesting both local and systemic inflammation may be part of the pathology.
What do you think?

03/02/2026

Progressive rehab or shockwave for Proximal Hamstring Tendinopathy?

There were no significant differences in primary outcomes and as both groups received education perhaps it's this component that is key 🤔
What do you make of these results?

Reference:
Rich A, Ford J, Cook J, Hahne A. Physiotherapy Compared With Shockwave Therapy for the Treatment of Proximal Hamstring Tendinopathy: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Am J Sports Med. 2025 Dec;53(14):3396-3407. doi: 10.1177/03635465251391134. Epub 2025 Nov 16. PMID: 41243328; PMCID: PMC12657663.

03/02/2026

Doing the 'battery test' with patients has been really illuminating! It often opens up good conversations about energy levels, sleep and recovery.
How is your charge at the moment? 🪫

31/01/2026

Running injury is rarely down to one single thing! It’s important to see the bigger picture 🏃🏻

31/01/2026

Proximal ITBS is thought to be an enthesopathy of the origin of the iliotibial band, typically related to overload.

30/01/2026

Interesting new study on running shoe selection…. 👟

Fife et al. (2025) recruited 21 female runners and asked them to compare their own shoes to two other pairs.

One pair which was ‘gait matched’ to suit the runner’s foot shape and running style. The other pair was described as ‘basic’ and not specifically suited to the runner.

But here’s the twist... both of these pairs were actually the same running shoe! The only difference was the colour.

The researchers even went through the process of analysing gait and foot shape to support the illusion that the ‘gait matched’ shoe was specific to their needs. In reality, the shoes were the same but the runner’s perception of these shoes was altered.

As a result runners rated the ‘gait matched’ shoes as more comfortable and better for performance and reducing injury risk despite the shoes being the same with no significant differences in running gait.

TAKE AWAY: A runner’s perception of a shoe can change comfort. Be mindful of this when recommending footwear.

Reference:

Fife A, Esculier JF, Ramsey C, Hébert-Losier K. Running Shoe Recommendations Based on Gait Analysis Improve Perceptions of Comfort, Performance and Injury Risk: A Single-Blind Randomised Crossover Trial. Transl Sports Med. 2025 Dec 8;2025:1419641. doi: 10.1155/tsm2/1419641. PMID: 41522374; PMCID: PMC12782347.

29/01/2026

Pain Catastrophizing: What it is and how to help your patients.

We’ve teamed up with to summarise this important and complex topic for you in our graphics.

References:

Sullivan, M.J., Bishop, S.R. and Pivik, J. (1995) ‘The pain catastrophizing scale: Development and validation.’, Psychological Assessment, 7(4), pp. 524–532. doi:10.1037/1040-3590.7.4.524.

Pocovi, N.C. and Correa, L.A. (2025) ‘Clinimetrics: The pain catastrophizing scale’, Journal of Physiotherapy, 71(4), p. 281. doi:10.1016/j.jphys.2025.08.006.

28/01/2026

Ranking exercise parameters for Achilles Tedninopathy (AT) 🥇🥈🥉

For rehab of mid-portion AT contraction intensity appears to be key. With insertional AT dorsiflexion range may play a more prominent role. We still want to load progressively but we often start out of painful, dorsiflexed positions.

24/01/2026

Interesting new study on running shoe selection…. 👟

Fife et al. (2025) recruited 21 female runners and asked them to compare their own shoes to two other pairs.

One pair which was ‘gait matched’ to suit the runner’s foot shape and running style. The other pair was described as ‘basic’ and not specifically suited to the runner.

But here’s the twist... both of these pairs were actually the same running shoe! The only difference was the colour.

The researchers even went through the process of analysing gait and foot shape to support the illusion that the ‘gait matched’ shoe was specific to their needs. In reality, the shoes were the same but the runner’s perception of these shoes was altered.

As a result runners rated the ‘gait matched’ shoes as more comfortable and better for performance and reducing injury risk despite the shoes being the same with no significant differences in running gait.

TAKE AWAY: A runner’s perception of a shoe can change comfort. Be mindful of this when recommending footwear.

Reference:

Fife A, Esculier JF, Ramsey C, Hébert-Losier K. Running Shoe Recommendations Based on Gait Analysis Improve Perceptions of Comfort, Performance and Injury Risk: A Single-Blind Randomised Crossover Trial. Transl Sports Med. 2025 Dec 8;2025:1419641. doi: 10.1155/tsm2/1419641. PMID: 41522374; PMCID: PMC12782347.

18/01/2026

Why are fifth metatarsal stress fractures high risk?

This history combined with bony tenderness on palpation raised my suspicions for a fifth metatarsal stress fracture.These are considered high risk due

14/01/2026

3 key sprinting phases and how to train them! 🏃💨

Based on a fantastic overview of sprinting performance by Haugen et al. (2019) in Sports Medicine - Open.

It's *open access* so be sure to read the full article!