Here are the different ways to prevent shin splints pain:
1. Strengthen your hips- The best exercises for preventing shin splints are basic squats, deadlifts and lunges. But, your focus should be on using your glutes.
2. Minimize using machines- Machine based exercises are some of the least effective for treating shin splints. The reason is because most machine-based exercises are performed while sitting down and in an apparatus that provides all of the stability for you.
When you run you're standing not sitting. So, your own body has to stabilize itself as you are on one leg the majority of the time. If you aren't training the actual movements and positions similar to running then you are making yourself prone to injuries to your shins, ankles, knees, hips and lower back.
3. Stop running on the treadmill- Treadmills are a great piece of equipment to run indoors or while you watch TV at the gym. But, if you are trying to avoid shin splints then you'll want to avoid the treadmill as much as you can and run on a solid surface instead.
Treadmills operate with a belt so it's harder to get a solid push off the ground because it's moving underneath you. When you run on a solid surface like outdoors you can push off the ground which also helps activate the hips more effectively than on a moving surface.
4. If using a treadmill use incline rather than speed- If your only option is using a treadmill then keep the speed down a bit from your normal pace and substitue by increasing the incline slightly.
Running on an incline can help reduce shin splint pain because you naturally have to push off the ground harder using your hips to move uphill. When running on a flat surface your shin muscles can take over since the hips aren't forced to work very hard to move your body.
5. Use effective training combos- There are a number of exercises and sequences that can help you
prevent shin splint pain if you know how to do them.
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