#142 High School/College Athletes: The Common Injuries We See and How to Avoid Them (Advice for All Runners!)

On this episode of the Doctors of Running Podcast we delve into the world of high school and collegiate runners, covering a variety of topics to enhance performance and long-term health. Reflecting on their own experiences, Nathan, David, Andrea, and Matt share valuable running advice they would give their younger selves. Leaning on their clinical experiences and the scientific literature, they then shed light on the risks of early sports specialization and advocate for sports variability, offering best practices to promote athleticism and prevent injuries. With a focus on the well-being of young athletes, the episode explores into common running injuries and provides insights on injury prevention and recovery strategies. They also explore the vital aspects of nutrition, hydration, and sleep, highlighting their significance in optimizing performance & longevity. And of course they have to work in shoes! This episode is a must-listen for young athletes, coaches, and parents seeking evidence-based guidance to navigate the world of high school and collegiate running. The Subjective: what running advice would you give your younger self? Chapters 0:00 - Intro 2:56 - The Subjective: what running advice would you give your younger self? 14:08 - Defining early sports specialization and its risks 27:30 - Best practices to emphasize the importance of sports variability 41:43 - Common running injuries in young athletes 46:33 - Nutrition, hydration, and sleep advice 1:00:00 - Shoe recommendations for young runners 1:09:08 - Wrap-up Get ready for the summer heat with new head gear from this week’s sponsor, Running Warehouse!  Running hats are the perfect protection to keep you cool and focused on your miles. We’ve tested several hats over the years at Doctors of Running and have really enjoyed two brands in particular - Ciele and Fractel. If you like a slim, sleek hat with all the color options, Ciele’s GOCaps are ultra-light, airy and have a really great lockdown. For those who want a wider fit, you may want to check out caps from Fractel which have a wider fit and solid UPF 50+ protection to keep you protected from the sun.  Fractel: ⁠https://www.doctorsofrunning.com/2022/10/fractel-performance-headwear-review.html⁠  Ciele: ⁠https://www.doctorsofrunning.com/2022/11/ciele-athletics-performance-headwear.html