Triathlon Screening

At Six Physio we believe prevention is better than cure, so we have devised a screening test that can help prevent your injuries in the first place, and at the same time make you more efficient on the course.

Swimming predominately uses the upper body muscles (back, chest, shoulders and arms) to generate power and speed.

Areas of injury: because of the repetitive nature of the arm actions, shoulder and neck issues are the main areas of concern (often the result of poor techniques, frequently compounded by inappropriate training).

Prevention: Lengthening tight muscles and increasing their range of motion, not only increases speed through the water, but also delays the onset of fatigue and helps reduce levels of lactic acid accumulation.

Questions to ask yourself:

• Do you ever have restricted and painful Neck movement?
• Do you know if you have optimal thoracic rotation required for bilateral breathing and optimal hand position in the catch phase of swimming?
• Are your lats mm length and strength limiting your speed and endurance in the open water?

On the bike, the areas of work are the powerful gluteal group (the muscles in the bottom), the quadriceps and the hamstrings

Areas of injury: most susceptible to injury are the lower back, knees, hamstrings and the back of the neck.

Prevention: Manual and rehabilitation physiotherapy can optimise soft tissue tension and improve available length of the hamstrings group, and also reduce tightness in the lower back and neck.

Questions to ask yourself:

• What’s your hamstring to quad strength ratio in your bike position?

Runners hit the ground with anything between 5 and 9 times their body weight on each stride. Over a typical 10km run, or even a 26.2 mile marathon, the cumulative effect of those impacts is immense.

Areas of injury: Main areas of weakness are the knees and ITBs (iliotibial band) from the continual stress from flexion on the bike and extension movements required for efficient running … often made far worse through poor technique and muscular instability in the glutes. Calves, shins, ankles, feet and achilles tendons are also common problem areas.

Prevention: correct stretching and strengthening.

Questions to ask yourself:

• Can you achieve triple extension in push off phase of running?
• What’s your optimal stride length and cadence off the bike?

If you need help answering these questions then book in for a 60 minute Tri screening with Tobina Marx at our Chelsea clinic: 020 7036 0280

Tri screening with us involves one on one, individual, case by case assessment with our expert using subjective and objective markers alongside the latest video analysis system to identify not only current injuries, but areas at risk.

The important bit comes after this: we will be able to treat your problem with manual therapy and rehab Physio and provide a treatment plan to cure the underlying dysfunction or potential problematic area so you will continue to stay in the water, on the bike and on the road to prepare for that next triathlon.