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Luke Nelson - Sports & Exercise Chiropractor, 437 Belmore Road, Mont Albert North, Melbourne (2025)

15/10/2025

🎙️ I finally did it… I launched my own podcast!
I’m so excited to introduce The Rehab Runway 🚀

This has been years in the making, often pushed aside by the chaos of work, family, and life in general. But it’s finally here, better late than never, hey?! 😅

So why this podcast?�At my core, I find purpose in helping others: whether that’s the patients I treat, the runners I coach, or the health professionals I teach.
This platform is my chance to reach even more people and share insights that can truly make a difference.💡

Each episode dives into one of my biggest passions: running 🏃‍♂️�
You can expect practical, evidence-based conversations that bridge the gap between rehab and performance: whether you’re a runner wanting to stay healthy and strong, or a health professional helping others do the same.

There’ll be a mix of solo episodes where I share insights from the clinic and the pavement, plus a line-up of incredible guests I can’t wait to chat with. 🎤💬

And to kick things off…�🎧 Episode 1: Is running bad for your knees and hips?�One of the biggest myths that just won’t die 👀

🎙️ Listen now: https://www.healthhp.com.au/the-rehab-runway

07/10/2025

🏃‍♂️The Asymmetrical Runner ⚖️

We’ve been told symmetry = efficiency, performance, and fewer injuries 🤕

But here’s the truth💥, perfect symmetry is a myth 🙅‍♂️

Asymmetry is often normal ✅, sometimes adaptive 💪, and rarely the villain it’s made out to be 😈

👉 Swipe through to learn where it matters, where it doesn’t, and what it means for your running 🏃‍♀️💨

💭 Asymmetries are part of every runner’s story: how do you see them in your running or clinical practice?

👇 I’d love to hear your insights below!

🔗 For the full blog, head to: https://www.healthhp.com.au/post/the-asymmetrical-runner-debunking-the-myth-of-perfect-symmetry

30/09/2025

⏱ Stronger, Faster: 7 Time-Saving Strength Tips for Runners

🏃‍♀️ Strength training is vital for runners—but it doesn’t need to take hours. Based on a 2021 review by Iversen, here are 7 ways to get the most out of your gym time.

🔑 Prioritize Target Areas
🎯 Address problem zones (e.g., quads for knee pain, calves for Achilles issues).
🎯 Focus on high-impact groups—calves, quads, hamstrings—for performance.

🔑 Microdose Sessions & Cut Reps
⏳ Swap 60-min lifts for 15-min micro-sessions.
🧮 Aim for 4+ sets/week per muscle group.
😮‍💨 Use moderate reps (6–12) but keep intensity high (near failure or 2 RIR).

🔑 Multijoint > Isolation
🏋️ Squats, deadlifts, and hip thrusts hit more muscles in less time than single-joint moves.

🔑 Bilateral Before Unilateral
⚖️ Bilateral lifts (squat, deadlift) are faster and efficient.
✅ Add unilateral work sparingly—it’s still valuable for runners.

🔑 Rest Smart
😴 1–2 minutes rest balances gains without dragging sessions out.

🔑 Superset for Efficiency
💪 Pair non-competing moves (e.g., deadlifts + calf raises) to cut downtime.

🔑 Streamline Warm-Up & Ditch Cooldown
🥵 Quick warm-up: dynamic movement or light sets before heavy loads (>80% RM).
🥶 Skip the cooldown—research shows little effect on soreness or injury prevention.

👋 If this helped, share with a runner who needs strength training but struggles for time!

📚 Reference
Iversen, V. M., et al. (2021). No Time to Lift? Designing Time-Efficient Training Programs for Strength and Hypertrophy: A Narrative Review. Sports Med, 51(10), 2079–2095.

16/09/2025

🦴 Running isn’t the bone-building exercise you think it is.

As a health professional working with runners, one injury I hate seeing is a bone stress injury. It means weeks (frequently months) off running, and a long road back to fitness.

But here’s the kicker:
Running doesn’t do a great job of building strong bones.
Sure, it’s weight-bearing — but that’s not enough.
Running involves repetitive, low-to-moderate impacts in a single direction. Your bones quickly become desensitised to that stimulus. After just 100 cycles, bone cells stop responding (Burr 2002) — which means most of your run isn’t actually making your bones stronger.

🧠 Bones love novelty and high force.
They respond best to:
✅ Jumping & hopping (especially with changes in direction)
✅ Heavy strength training (think squats, lunges, deadlifts)
These apply varied, high-impact, multi-directional loads, which actually stimulate bone growth and resilience.
👉 So if you’re a runner, don’t just run.

Lift. Jump. Move in new directions.
Your bones will thank you — and you’ll spend more time running, not rehabbing.

Runners & health professionals, what are your favorite bone building exercises?
📚 References
Burr DB, Robling AG, Turner CH. Effects of biomechanical stress on bones in animals. Bone. 2002;30(5):781–6
Hoenig, T., et al. (2024). "International Delphi consensus on bone stress injuries in athletes." British Journal of Sports Medicine: bjsports-2024-108616.
Warden, S. J., et al. (2014). "Management and prevention of bone stress injuries in long-distance runners." J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 44(10): 749-765.
Warden, S. J., et al. (2021). "Preventing Bone Stress Injuries in Runners with Optimal Workload." Curr Osteoporos Rep 19(3): 298-307.

14/09/2025

🏃‍♀️ Can strength training prevent running injuries? 🏋️‍♀️
Research on the role of strength training in injury prevention for runners has yielded mixed results. Let's dive into the studies and findings to shed light on this topic.

Key takeaways:
1️⃣ Running injuries are multifactorial, with strength training being just one aspect of prevention alongside training load, technique, and stress management.
2️⃣ Exercise intensity and selection matter; challenging exercises that progress over time are essential for reaping benefits.
3️⃣ Compliance is crucial; consistent and sustained participation in strength training programs reduces injury risk.

🎯Conclusion:
While the evidence on strength training's preventive effects for running injuries is mixed, incorporating it into a comprehensive injury prevention approach can be beneficial. Customized programs, exercise progression, and ensuring compliance are vital for maximizing effectiveness.
As health professionals, let's encourage runners to include strength training alongside other injury-prevention measures in their training regimen. 💪✨

👋Like & share this post if you found it valuable

📚REFERENCES
Baltich, J., et al. (2017). "Running injuries in novice runners enrolled in different training interventions: a pilot randomized controlled trial." Scand J Med Sci Sports 27(11): 1372-1383.
Bredeweg, S. W., et al. (2012). "The effectiveness of a preconditioning programme on preventing running-related injuries in novice runners: a randomised controlled trial." Br J Sports Med.
Desai, P., et al. (2023). "Effectiveness of an 18-week general strength and foam-rolling intervention on running-related injuries in recreational runners." Scand J Med Sci Sports.
Mendez-Rebolledo, G., et al. (2021). "The Protective Effect of Neuromuscular Training on the Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome in Youth Female Track-and-Field Athletes: A Clinical Trial and Cohort Study." J Sport Rehabil 30(7): 1019-1027.
Taddei, U. T., et al. (2020). "Foot Core Training to Prevent Running-Related Injuries: A Survival Analysis of a Single-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial." Am J Sports Med 48(14): 3610-3619.
Toresdahl, B. G., et al. (2020). "A Randomized Study of a Strength Training Program to Prevent Injuries in Runners of the New York City Marathon." Sports Health 12(1): 74-79.

02/09/2025

🏃‍♂️ Just finished a marathon? The race may be over, but your recovery journey is just as important.

Your muscles, tendons, heart, and immune system all go through major stress during 42.2km — and how you recover can make or break your return to training.

💡 In this post, you’ll learn:
✅ How long it really takes your body to bounce back
✅ The best nutrition & hydration strategies post-race
✅ Why sleep is your #1 recovery tool
✅ Active recovery tips that actually work
✅ A handy Recovery Checklist to guide your first few weeks

Remember: finishing strong isn’t just about race day — it’s about respecting the recovery that follows.

✨ Save this post to guide your recovery & share with a training partner who just ran too!

💬 Comment below on your #1 recovery ritual! 👇

For the full blog, head to www.healthhp.com.au/post/marathon-recovery-guide

26/08/2025

🏃‍♂️ Thinking about strength training but don’t know where to start?
👉 Plyometrics might just be the perfect entry point for runners.

💥 They’re bodyweight-based – no fancy equipment needed.
💥 Boosts running economy (Engeroff 2023)
💥 Great for bone strength
💥 Low energy demand – so you can still nail your key running sessions.
💥 And the best part? Just a few minutes, two times per week can make a real difference.

So if you’ve been putting off strength work, try sprinkling in plyos like Pogo jumps, hops or skips.

Your future running self will thank you 🏅
📚Reference
Engeroff, T., et al. (2023). "Progressive daily hopping exercise improves running economy in amateur runners: a randomized and controlled trial." Sci Rep 13(1): 4167.

19/08/2025

🏃‍♂️💪 Strength Training for Runners: How to Schedule It? 🗓️
Strength work is 🔑 for boosting performance and reducing injury risk. But when’s the best time to lift? 🤔

🌟 Just Get It Done�Morning, noon, or night—timing matters less than consistency. If you're short on options, get it in when you can. ✅

🌀The Interference Effect�Running + lifting on the same day may blunt muscle gains (especially explosive strength).�But a 2022 meta-analysis showed negligible impact on hypertrophy or max strength.�💡 Tip: If possible, separate run & lift by 6–8 hours.

🥇 Run or Lift First?�Prioritise what matters most.�➡️ Running focus? Run first.�➡️ Strength development? Lift first.�Think long-term goals 🎯

📅 Weekly Planning Options
1️⃣ Polarized: Hard run + strength on the same day�✅ Protects rest days�❗️Can lead to very taxing days
2️⃣ Distributed: Strength on easy run days�✅ More balanced workload�❗️Limits recovery

🔑 The Takeaway:�There’s no one-size-fits-all. Choose a plan that fits your routine and recovery capacity.
�Don’t chase perfect—chase consistency. 💥👊

👇 What’s your go-to weekly plan? Comment below!
�👍 Like & share if this helped!

12/06/2025

🏃‍♀️ Runners — Want to Run Faster? Don’t Forget Your Hip Flexors! 🔥

Your hip flexors play a huge role in fast running. They pull your leg through and prep it for ground contact — crucial for speed & efficiency.

👟 At slower speeds, the demands on these muscles are fairly low. But during sprinting? The workload on your hip flexors skyrockets — they actually perform more work than any other muscle! (Dorn 2012)

Here’s what happens as you pick up the pace: ➡️ First, you increase stride length
➡️ Then, as speed continues to rise, cadence (step rate) increases even more — putting your hip flexors front and center. (Schache 2014)

💥 Stronger hip flexors = faster turnover = faster running.
In fact, a study by Deane et al. showed that just 8 weeks of hip flexor strength training led to a significant decrease in sprint times.

So if you’re chasing speed… It’s time to strengthen those hip flexors!

📸 drachperformance

📚References
Deane, R. S., et al. (2005). "Effects of hip flexor training on sprint, shuttle run, and vertical jump performance." J Strength Cond Res 19(3): 615-621.
Dorn, T. W., et al. (2012). "Muscular strategy shift in human running: dependence of running speed on hip and ankle muscle performance." J Exp Biol 215(Pt 11): 1944-1956.
Schache, A. G., et al. (2014). "Lower-Limb Muscular Strategies for Increasing Running Speed." J Orthop Sports Phys Ther: 1-44.

05/06/2025

Shod vs. Barefoot Plyometrics? 🏃‍♂️👟👣

Plyos can boost run performance—but is barefoot better? Here’s what the research says 🕵️‍♂️👇

🔎 Laporta 2013: Barefoot/minimalist = ↑ vertical jump (in males)
🔎 Harry 2015: No difference in jump outcomes
🔎 Harry 2020: Big individual variability
🔎 Herbert-Losier: Barefoot = ↑ jump height but clinically trivial

👣 Koyama 2018: Barefoot = more foot/ankle work, less knee load

Takeaway 💡
Implementation strategies 🛠️
For individuals unaccustomed to barefoot activity or those with weaker intrinsic foot muscles who wish to improve their foot strength, commencing barefoot with lower-intensity plyometrics such as Pogo variations, low box jumps, or hopping may be prudent before advancing to higher-intensity exercises like bounding & depth jumps.🏋️‍♂️

Conversely, individuals with robust foot strength OR wanting to offload the knee may opt to perform all plyometric exercises barefoot.👣

Considering the potential differential muscle demands, adopting a hybrid approach incorporating BOTH shod & barefoot plyometrics might be advisable.🤔

👋Runners & health professionals save & share this if you found it useful

📚References
Harry, J., et al. (2020). "Single-Subject Analyses Reveal Altered Performance and Muscle Activation during Vertical Jumping." 1: 15-21.
Harry JR, Paquette MR, Caia J, Townsend RJ, Weiss LW, Schilling BK. Effects of footwear condition on maximal jumping performance. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research. 2015;29(6):1657-65.
Hébert-Losier, K., et al. (2023). "Effect of Footwear Versus Barefoot on Double-Leg Jump-Landing and Jump Height Measures: A Randomized Cross-Over Study." Int J Sports Phys Ther 18(4): 845-855.
Koyama, K. and J. Yamauchi (2018). "Comparison of lower limb kinetics, kinematics and muscle activation during drop jumping under shod and barefoot conditions." Journal of biomechanics 69: 47-53.
Laporta, J., et al. (2013). "Effects of Different Footwear on Vertical Jump and Landing Parameters." Journal of strength and conditioning research / National Strength & Conditioning Association 27: 733-737.
Malisoux, L., et al. (2017). "Influence of sports flooring and shoes on impact forces and performance during jump tasks." PLoS One 12(10): e0186297.

22/05/2025

🔥 Two Must-Do Exercises for Hamstring Tendinopathy 💪🏽

1️⃣ Heavy Single-Leg Hamstring Curls (Full Range) 🦵🏽
My go-to setup: prone position with hips flexed — this targets the biceps femoris more effectively and allows for greater force output ⚡
Runner-up? The seated hamstring curl machine: just ensure this position is not provocative.
🏋️‍♀️ Aim for 6-8 reps, leaving 2 reps in reserve

2️⃣ Heavy Isometric Hamstring Curls 🧱
While we don't yet have research directly on this for the proximal hamstring tendon, I’m leaning on findings from the Berlin group's work on the patellar & Achilles tendons, where high-load isometrics improved tendon stiffness
💥 Preferred setup: prone position again for max force generation.
👉🏼 Protocol:
• 3-second holds @ ~90% max effort, then 3-second rest
• Do 3–5 sets of 3–5 reps

✅ Add these into your rehab for a powerful tendon stimulus!

Want to dive deeper into hamstring tendinopathy? Check out these resrouces:
🎙️ Podcast with Jake Tuura – We break down key concepts, clinical insights, and loading strategies you can apply right away.
🎥 Practical session with Learn Physio – A hands-on look at assessment and exercise progressions you can use in the clinic tomorrow

22/04/2025

📢 Runners: Want to hold strong through the final miles of your race?
A new study shows that adding just 2 strength sessions per week for 10 weeks can help you finish strong.

💥 What they did:
Well-trained runners added max strength + plyo training alongside their usual running.

🏃‍♂️ What happened?
After 90 minutes of running at race-like pace:
✅ Oxygen cost (running economy) was better maintained
✅ Time to exhaustion at 95% VO₂max improved by 35%!
💡 Meanwhile, those who only ran got worse with fatigue.

🏋️ Long story short:
Strength training makes your stride more efficient and your kick more powerful—even when you're tired.
📆 Twice a week. Ten weeks. Big gains.

🦵Time to hit the weights. Your race finish will thank you.

👋 Like & share this post if you found it valuable

🤓Health professionals, to learn more about treating runners, check our upcoming Online & Face to Face “MAT Assessing the Runner” courses. 🔗https://www.matassessment.com/matrunningcourse

‼️ UPCOMING Perth face-to-face course: May 31st-June 1st

📚 Reference
Zanini M, Folland JP, Wu H, Blagrove RC. Strength Training Improves Running Economy Durability and Fatigued High-Intensity Performance in Well-Trained Male Runners: A Randomized Control Trial. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2025 Feb 28. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000003685. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40016936.

Luke Nelson - Sports & Exercise Chiropractor

15/10/2025

07/10/2025

30/09/2025

16/09/2025

14/09/2025

02/09/2025

26/08/2025

19/08/2025

12/06/2025

05/06/2025

22/05/2025

22/04/2025

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