Latest Research: Dynamic Stretching Benefits, Running Economy Insights & The Future of Tendon Treatment

Learn more about Brodie's Research Database & AI Assistant 📄🔍 For MORE Run Smarter Resources 🏃‍♂️📚 - Including Free Injury Prevention Courses 🩹🎓 - The Run Smarter Book 📖 - Access to Research Papers 📄🔍 - & Ways to Work with Brodie 🤝👟 👉 CLICK HERE! 🎉✨ In this month’s Latest Research episode, we break down five new papers added to the Run Smarter Research Library — including big updates on trail running performance , dynamic stretching , running stability , and emerging tendon therapies like ozone, collagen, and PRP . Whether you're a trail runner, road runner, or someone dealing with a stubborn tendon injury, this episode arms you with the latest insights to train smarter and reduce injury risk. In This Episode Trail Running: What Predicts Performance & Injury Risk? Paper: Analysis of Factors Influencing Injuries and Performance in Trail Running Key insights: Higher weekly volume, more elevation gain, more interval training, and structured recovery → lower injury risk Sleep + passive recovery (massage, mobility, sauna, cold plunges) strongly linked to better performance Taller runners had slightly higher injury risk Prepared tissue = safer tissue More training is protective — but only when recovery is adequate Dynamic Stretching: Does It Improve Neuromuscular Readiness? Paper: Acute Effects of Dynamic Stretching on Knee Joint Position Sense and Dynamic Balance in Recreational Runners Key insights: A 5-minute dynamic warm-up improved: Joint position sense Single-leg balance Neuromuscular “readiness” Runners were more accurate with limb positioning and more stable on Y-Balance Test Dynamic Stability & Running Economy: Why Variability Helps Paper: Runners with Lower Dynamic Stability Exhibit Better Running Economy Key insights: More step-to-step variability (“controlled chaos”) = better running economy Stability didn’t change with speed → suggests an individual running “trait” Efficient runners aren’t rigid — they allow micro-adjustments Ozone Therapy for Tendinopathy — An Emerging Option? Paper: Oxygen–Ozone Therapy in Tendinopathy Management Key insights: May reduce pain, improve function, and support collagen regeneration Early evidence only; protocols vary Appears promising as an adjunct , not a standalone treatment Porcine Collagen Injections for Proximal Hamstring Tendinopathy Paper: Porcine Collagen Injection Therapy Affects Proximal Hamstring Tendinopathy in Athletes Key insights: Return to sport: Collagen + rehab: 57 days Rehab only: 72 days Greater functional improvements in the collagen group Still small, preliminary studies