ABOUT THE COURSE
Energy Systems Considerations for the Injured Runner is an education course for medical professionals who manage the treatment of runners. “Runner” is defined as those who recreationally or competitively compete in events spanning 800 meters or more. Course content focuses on a brief overview of metabolic pathways, the specific adaptations seen with running, periodization basics, and the clinical reasoning of implementing aerobic interventions in this population. Participants can expect to have improved confidence in their understanding of what a runner needs for performance, improved understanding of why early aerobic interventions are important, and optimized implementation of return to run programs grounded in physiological specificity.
WHY TAKE THE COURSE?
An injured runner sees significant detraining at a rapid rate during periods away from running. Because of this reduction in training, the original injury has notably more impact on performance upon return to competition after the rehabilitation period. Medical professionals with an increased understanding of aerobic performance implementation and a subsequent understanding of the importance of early aerobic intervention will play a key role in lessening race performance decreases seen after injury. Invested parties (coaches, athletes, sponsors, etc.) will look to find providers who can implement these methods to improve race times.
This course is an efficient overview of the clinically applicable physiology of running and highlights direct clinical application to a variety of running injuries. A variety of learning mediums will be utilized to facilitate retention and learning. Course participants will also have direct email access to the instructor for any additional questions or discussion that they find beneficial.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR & CREATION OF THE COURSE
This course will be instructed by John Wehrer, PT, DPT.
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- About John Wehrer, PT, DPT:
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- Candidate to sit for Board Certification in Sports Physical Therapy (2023)
- Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
- USA Cycling Coach
- Endurance Performance Coach/Consultant since 2016
- Eastern Washington University DPT Graduate
- Adjunct Faculty at Whitworth University DPT
- Guest Faculty at Eastern Washington DPT
- Presenter at multiple national and state level conferences
- Most notably a platform presentation at the Annual Meeting and Scientific Conference hosted by the American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy on the role of resistance training in runners
- Practicing and residing in Spokane, Washington
- Very, very amateur endurance athlete
- Notable Races
- 24 Hour Mountain Bike Race-2015
- Ironman CDA-2021
- Ironman 70.3 Washington-2021
- 24-Hour Mountain Bike Race (Planned May 2023)
- 50 mile Trail Run Race (Planned June 2023)
- Notable Races
- Landscape Photographer
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- About John Wehrer, PT, DPT:
Through my experience prior to and during physical therapy school, I’ve worked with endurance athletes at a variety of competitive levels. Two key factors became the center themes of my decisions when working with these individuals: reducing injury risk and improving performance. I’ve found there to be a strong focus on reducing injury risk in the rehabilitative fields, but less so on improving (or maintaining) running performance during the rehabilitation process. Understandably so, many providers are not running performance experts. My goal in creating this course was to increase focus on early rehab aerobic interventions in runners, provide rationale for WHY this focus is important, and provide a baseline set of skills of knowledge to better implement the return to run process.
Many courses exist to discuss manual therapy, differing strength or plyometric exercises, running gait mechanics, and other pain management strategies, but I have not found resources in the rehabilitation fields that focus solely on a keen understanding of metabolic pathways and the implementation of optimized aerobic interventions during the rehabilitation process.