Thread: Shin Splints
View Single Post
  #15 (permalink)  
Old Mon Dec 01, 2008, 07:05pm
Juulie Downs Juulie Downs is offline
Official Forum Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 552
Quote:
Originally Posted by bob jenkins View Post
What has worked for me -- walk around the house on your heels for about 30 seconds, then on your toes for about 30 seconds. Repeat twice. Do this in the am and the pm.

Also, before the game -- do the calf stretch where you stand on a stair and lower your heel. Then raise the heel (stand on your toes).
Bob took the words right out of my mouth. These exercises strengthen and stretch the little muscles that hold the bones together in the leg (the ones that get sore when you're suddenly increasing the running amount). When you run, you are extending and then flexing your foot much more dramatically than when you walk. THe shin muscles are the flexors, and must be pulled much more quickly when you run, so increasing your running puts a real strain on them. The exercises Bob recommends helps work up to this activity more gradually.
Reply With Quote