Students help put best feet forward for regional running boom
Running events across regional Australia are booming – and CQUniversity students and researchers are helping enthusiastic participants go the distance.
CQU experts are reminding runners that the experience shouldn’t end at the finish line, with tips being shared to prevent injury and manage recovery.
The support follows research showing that up to 80 per cent of runners experience injury in a year.
Record-breaking runs
This weekend, thousands of people will line up for the Yeppoon Running Festival, after record-breaking numbers at the Gold Coast Marathon and Noosa Marathon earlier this year.
CQU Bachelor of Physiotherapy and Bachelor of Podiatry students will also attend the popular Capricorn Coast event across 25-26 July, to provide valuable support for participants while gaining hands-on experience alongside clinicians.
CQU Senior Physiotherapist and Clinical Educator Kasey Bonato said volunteer students would get to see a wide range of running-related complaints, including:
- Calf tightness and muscle cramping
- Achilles tendon soreness and heel pain
- Shin splints and knee pain
- ITB (iliotibial band) irritation
- Hamstring and quadriceps tightness
- Hip and gluteal muscle soreness
- Lower back stiffness
- General muscle fatigue.
While the long list might sound discouraging, Ms Bonato said students loved supporting participants to recover better and take on the next challenge.
“New runners are often at greater risk as they adapt to the demands of the sport, while experienced runners may encounter injuries as a result of changes such as increased training loads or competition preparation – but a lot of injuries can resolve quickly with appropriate management,” she explained.
“CQU’s Physiotherapy and Podiatry teams will provide advice, assessment and management recommendations to help runners recover well and continue training safely.”
CQUniversity is a major sponsor of the Yeppoon Running Festival, and naming rights sponsor of Saturday's half marathon, the 21.1km serious distance with a scenic coastal experience.
Destination finish line
Earlier this month, CQU Physiotherapy students were at the Cairns Marathon Festival to offer post-race soft tissue treatments, boosting recovery for 86 grateful recipients.
The sold-out event on Sunday 12 July attracted 3,500 runners from around Australia and internationally, and the students got plenty of positive feedback about their professionalism and quality of care.
CQU Cairns Physiotherapy Lecturer James Czencz said the event helped students build confidence while contributing to the local community.
Passion for participation
Fourth-year Physiotherapy student Danae Esterhuysen has volunteered at run events across the Rockhampton region and loves hectic opportunities.
“One of the biggest challenges is the sheer number of participants and how busy the event can get, especially at the Yeppoon Running Festival,” she said.
“I love the fast-paced atmosphere, working as part of a team and meeting so many different people – whether it’s providing post-race massage or triaging participants, it’s rewarding to make a small but meaningful difference to someone’s recovery and overall event experience.”
Dr Benjamin Peterson is CQU’s Head of Course for Podiatry and said running popularity extended beyond big annual events.
“Recreational running is growing across many forms, including weekly gatherings like Park Run, and community-based run clubs like Run and Rump Rockhampton,” he said.
“There’s a wide range of benefits to health and wellbeing, including better heart health, improving your mood and new opportunities for social connection.
“Podiatrists and physiotherapists both play key roles assessing and managing current injuries and preventing future injury.”
Beyond running event finish lines, CQUniversity offers a student-led health clinic based at the North Rockhampton campus, with physiotherapy and podiatry students and educators offering treatments in affordable, professional learning environments.
Visit the CQU Health Clinics website to learn more and book.
