With the Philadelphia Marathon just a couple of months away, those in the midst of their training would be wise to make a pit stop at Drexel’s award-winning Running Performance and Research Center.
Home of the Gait Lab and expert faculty and staff, the Running Performance and Research Center offers everything a runner looking to improve their performance could need: a video running analysis, training program and injury review, nutrition analysis and metabolic testing that includes aerobic capacity, metabolic rate and bone density.
For those looking for just a few tips, the center is offering a free lecture at 6 p.m. Sept. 30 that will cover topics such as running shoe choice, injury prevention and optimal nutrition for running 26.2 miles. Although the lecture was so popular that there is no more space available to see it in person, a webcast will be available for those who register.
“The center is unique for a number of reasons,” said Rob Maschi, an assistant clinical professor in the College of Nursing and Health Professions who works at the center. “It is a collection of experts in different related disciplines. We have physical therapists, biomechanists and nutritionists who contribute their skills. These experts, who are faculty members at Drexel, utilize evidence-based practice (or the incorporation of scientific studies related to injury, performance and biomechanics) to provide cutting-edge services to runners.”
Maschi will be one of those giving a talk Sept. 30. His topic will cover the best ways to train for a marathon and how to avoid injuries.
Injury prevention is a key tenet of the Running Performance and Research Center. Recently named “Best Place to Fix Your Running Form” by Philadelphia Magazine, Maschi said the attention gained from that and other media coverage has driven more to come for help.
“Many runners have long-standing injuries that they have not been able to fix,” Maschi explained. “Oftentimes, these runners have been told by various health professionals to stop running. Now, with the help of technology and research, we are able to look at a runner’s biomechanics and make significant changes.”
In doing so, Maschi and others at the center have been able to get people running pain-free again.
“Runners have contacted us to let us know how well they are doing and update us on their accomplishments after incorporating our recommendations,” said Maschi, who estimated that between three and five runners come for analysis each week.
“We have many runners coming in now who have been referred from a friend who has come in to the Running Center and had a positive experience,” Maschi added.
Due to popular demand, seating is at capacity for the Sept. 30 lecture. To accommodate those wishing to participate, the center is now offering a live webcast. Those interested in watching the webcast can register here.