STRONG TO THE FINISH

We all know that lifting weights can help your running, but could strength training before a run actually help your performance?

- Sarah Haselwood

We're often encouraged to incorporate strength training into our exercise routines.

With numerous benefits, strength training ticks a lot of health boxes, but could it be the secret ingredient to precede your run to improve performance, and how should you approach this pre-fatigue run routine?

What is pre-fatigue running?

This fitness method of training under fatigue can potentially help you improve your running efficiency and endurance and may be the key to giving you a stronger finish. The idea is to perform a brief bodyweight strength training routine before starting your run.

Done correctly, it could certainly be something to factor into your regular run training. However, this pre-fatigue state needs to be practised with caution: if you go too hard, it could be counterintuitive. And as with all training schedules, it's crucial to monitor the overall training load to prevent overtraining and also the possibility of injury.

Danny Brunton, clinical physiotherapist and ambassador for shock absorbing running insole brand Enertor, explains: "Pre-fatigue running is aimed at improving our running efficiency and form and leading towards an increase in performance. Through my experience and the experience of my patients, it has helped with gains such as improvement in overall load tolerance and also aspects such as reducing recovery time from longer runs."

Research backs strength training