Inclined to injury Stay off the slopes

Most of us encounter the occasional cambered (side sloping) road surface on a run, but if you find yourself running at an angle on a regular basis, plan a detour. Even a modest 10-degree slope will affect biomechanics and muscle recruitment, according to a recent Iranian study. Researchers

1 found that the hip on the ‘higher’ side of the road dropped and rotated inwards more than its counterpart, while the higher foot was more externally rotated and rolled in more at toe-off. The opposite was true at the knees, where more internal rotation occurred on the ‘lower’ side of the body. These changes to normal running gait patterns can predispose the body to injuries.