Aerobic training while injured

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July 24, 2021 at 2:30 pm #55938

Jason Cunningham
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Hello, everyone. As the title says, I’m looking to do aerobic training, but I am currently dealing with an Achilles injury, which causes some issues with my ability to run. Training aerobic threshold is a new concept that I want to try, so here is my question: can I perform other activities, such as swimming, biking, or rowing, and still be able to build my aerobic threshold. I understand that it may not be as effective as running, but something is better than nothing. Any help or suggestions are appreciated.
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Posted In: General Training Discussion

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LindsayTroy on July 24, 2021 at 9:23 pm #55944

The name of the game is don’t do anything that makes the injury worse/recovery time longer.

Beyond that, the closer you can get to what you will be doing the more transferrable the gains will be.

Participant

Rachel Nutting on July 24, 2021 at 10:49 pm #55945

Hi!
What kind of Achilles injury did you have? I’m currently recovering from a tear in April (high grade partial, not full, luckily). Are you in a boot? What kind of limitations do you have? Are you seeing an ortho or PT?
Rachel

Participant

Jason Cunningham on July 25, 2021 at 6:25 am #55947

Hello, Rachel. I don’t know what kind of injury it is. I’m not in a boot though (yet). Backstory, in 2017 I had developed Achilles tendonitis while training for a 50K race. Two weeks later, I tore the labrum in my hip. My Achilles cleared up and I ended up doing surgery to repair my hip, and my recovery was very successful. Doing my walk to run progression is when my Achilles started again. It wasn’t too bad, so I pushed through it. Over time, the pain got worse and worse. Now, it is pretty bad. I get a lot of popping, and the pain throughout the day can range anywhere from dull to searing hot. When I started running again after my surgery, I had shoes with a much higher heel-to-toe drop than I had been used to (12mm), and my running form wasn’t so great due to extended periods of not running. I have an appointment to be seen for it in just over a week. But, I am military so the likelihood of anything being done for it in a timely manner is slim.

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TerryLui on August 4, 2021 at 4:03 pm #56171

Agreed.

don’t do anything that makes the injury worse/recovery time longer.

Not to say you’ve got to sit on the couch, light simple movement that avoids straining the injured area should be fine (IMO) but as Rachel Nutting mentioned, if you’re not sure what is/isn’t going to strain the injury, ask a professional

Participant

Jason Cunningham on August 4, 2021 at 6:13 pm #56179

Thank you for the advice. I am actually set to see physical therapy just over a week, along with a sports medicine department that deals more with performance related issues. Hopefully everything can get taken care of soon so I can get back to business. In the mean time, I’m going to do a mix of pool running, and working on my swim.

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