In this blog post – number 1 in a series of 5 on running – we look at how biokineticists can help runners to prevent, or rehabilitate from, injury, and to improve their performance at the same time. Lize-Jeanne from Lize-Jeanne Coetzee Biokineticist in Stellenbosch compiled the content.
Mariaan Cloete is an avid long-distance runner in her early fourties whose running was hampered by a knee injury. She tried various options to get relief. None of them worked.
Fortunately for her, she discovered a solution that she did not even know was available – biokinetics! She consulted with us and we prescribed a personalised biokinetics-based training programme which resolved her problem. What’s more, we were able to give Mariaan an understanding of what the cause of the injury was, helped her to prevent further harm, and even improved her running performance significantly.
What started off as a call for help, has become a lifelong biokinetics routine for Mariaan. She sees this as her personal health insurance that allows her to enjoy injury-free running right now, and to make sure that she’ll still be able to do so when she reaches a higher age!
What do biokineticists do?
Biokinetics focuses on the science of human movement and is a medical profession concerned with health promotion. We prescribe scientifically-based physical activity programmes for the maintenance, improvement or rehabilitation of physical abilities, and assist our clients in executing these programmes.
Biokineticists, such as us, are medically-trained therapists who have completed at least five years of study, including an internship. We are equipped to do assessments to evaluate and measure posture, body composition, physical fitness, muscle strength, endurance, power and flexibility, to mention a few. After we’ve done an assessment, we prescribe an exercise programme specific to the client’s needs. This programme aims to improve the client’s physical well-being and quality of life by setting goals to enhance fitness, wellness, performance and/or rehabilitation.
Biokineticists offer a wide range of biokinetics services, including orthopaedic rehabilitation, sports conditioning and performance, rehabilitation from and prevention of chronic diseases, weight-loss programmes, and many more. We, furthermore, use scientific equipment to determine, among others, fat and muscle mass, and body water levels. This allows us to track body composition data to monitor and assist with achieving individual fitness goals. We also do genetic testing, as well as posture and running analysis.
A sound investment
During a conversation with Mariaan, she has no doubt that she’s gained wonderful benefits from her biokinetics programme. Her feedback to us is that she’s also learned that running is not necessarily bad for one’s knees, as runners often think, but that other factors mostly cause running injuries. Her biokinetics programme gave her body flexibility, helped her to adjust her training methods and, best of all, improved her performance and time. And, she’s doing it injury free!
She even hinted that she’s sorry that she did not start a programme such as this earlier in her running career!
More blog posts on the way
Be on the lookout for more informative blog posts to come in which we will provide information of value to runners. Also visit the Lize-Jeanne Coetzee Biokineticist website at www.ljbiokin.com.
* Biokineticists, in South Africa, are recognised by and registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa, and medical aid schemes in general cover their treatment.
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