The heel drop stretch is one of the most effective hiking stretches that can help improve your flexibility around the calves and shins. It is a great warm-up stretch that can be done before you start exercising. The heel drop stretch is a great way to reduce the risk of injury while hiking. The stretch increases your leg muscles’ mobility, reducing their risk of injury. This stretch is extremely helpful in preventing and treating Plantar Fasciitis. Plantar Fasciitis is an injury that affects the bottom of the foot. It causes a lot of pain and discomfort in the heel and arch areas of the foot.
In this post, I will talk about preventing hiking injuries and the stretch (heel drop exercise) I do to improve dorsiflexion and stretch the Achilles tendon.
I love to be out hiking.
I think I am out hiking right now!
It is my favorite thing to do in the summer. Nothing beats being outside in the mountains, looking at great mountain peaks, and walking in a sea of wildflowers.
I love it so much that I spent 5 months hiking from the Mexico/USA border to Canada (Manning Park). The trail we hiked was the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trai, l, and it was a fantastic 4300 Kilometer hike. It was EPIC! We saw it all and climbed it all.
Now get back to how you can help your client get ready for hiking season.
In the first video, I talk about the importance of dorsiflexion in hiking which is affected by the Achilles tendon. During my training hikes for this year’s Stein Valley Hike, I did the video.
Hiking is excellent for your body and your mind.
It provides a way to spend time in nature, connect with the environment, and beg a great form of exercise. But hiking can be tough on the body if you don’t prepare properly. Preventing ankle and knee injuries is one of the most critical ways to ensure you enjoy hiking without pain. Heel drop stretches are an easy way to avoid these common injuries during your next hike. Here are some tips on how to perform this stretch before, during, and after your walk.
Running on the road or pavement can be tough on the feet.
Running on hard surfaces forces your body to lift your feet more than it should, which can increase heel drops. This is when your foot presses into the ground, and your heel barely touches the ground at all. To combat this, you need to stretch out your calf muscles so that they will work properly during a workout. Here are some simple stretches that you can do at home to minimize heel drops.
Enjoy the video from Lincoln Mountain, high above Yale, BC, Canada.
Why is the Heel Drop Stretch so important?
The heel drops stretch effectively improves flexibility and range of motion in the calves and shins. When you hike, you are constantly walking on uneven surfaces. This can cause your ankles and shins to be tight, increasing your risk of injury. The heel drop stretch can help improve your ankle and shin flexibility, reducing your chances of injury. When your joints are less flexible, they are at a higher risk of injury. Poor flexibility can also cause you to over-pronate while hiking. This is when your foot turns inwards and presses against the inside of your other foot. Over-pronation can lead to knee and back pain.
Most Important Movement Hikers Need to Work On:
CLICK HERE to learn the best hiking injury stretch
In the above video, I talk about the importance of dorsiflexion in the ankle of your hiking clients. In the following video, I talk about how I use the heel drop exercise to improve my client’s dorsiflexion, prepare them for hiking season, and keep them injury-free.
Dorsiflexion is a physiological motion that occurs when the foot moves towards the shin. It is a crucial muscle stretch for all athletic activities, including running and jumping. The heel drop exercise is an excellent way to improve dorsiflexion in any individual with decreased flexibility or who has difficulty reaching the ground with their toes. This post will provide you with a detailed description of what this exercise entails so that you can have your clients perform it at home.
How to do the Heel Drop Exercise (Achilles Tendon):
CLICK HERE on how to do the Heel Drop Exercise for your Achilles Tendon
If you are a fitness professional and would like more information on how to help your clients recover and prevent ankle, knee, hip, and running injuries. These courses will help you out:
The heel drop exercise is a lower-body exercise that targets the hamstrings and glutes but also works other muscles in your legs.
It’s a simple move that anyone can do. To perform it, line up with an object such as a chair or wall that you can either hold onto or lean against. Stand on your right leg while bending your left knee, then slowly drop your heel down to the ground. The motion should be smooth and controlled, not fast and jerky. Hold this position for 10 seconds, then switch sides. Once you’ve done three sets of 10 reps per side, you can move on to more challenging exercises like squats or lunges.
Exercise Rehabilitation of the Knee
Exercise is the most critical factor in the rehabilitation of the knee. Exercising your knee should increase mobility and strength, correct knee alignment, minimize scar tissue formation, prevent swelling and pain, improve blood circulation and reduce muscle spasms. Here are some tips to help you get started on your rehab journey!
Exercise Rehabilitation of the Ankle & Foot
Ankle and foot injuries are common and can keep you from walking, running, or performing daily activities. Resting is essential to allow the ankle joint to heal, but staying active is important too. The key is finding the right balance between rest and activity for your injury type. This blog will offer simple exercises you can do at home or in a gym to help you recover from an ankle or foot injury.
Injury-free Running
Running is one of the best ways to stay fit and healthy, but it can also be harmful if you don’t take precautions. There are many different causes of injuries while running, and with so many people running these days, it’s more important than ever to know how to avoid them.
I think that is it. When I get back from hiking, I am sure I will have more tips and exercises to help your client recover from injury.
See you in the mountains!
Ankle Injuries & Exercise with Jimmy Smith
Rick Kaselj, MS
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