Bluetens x Running Care

Bluetens x Running Care : Interview with Mr Bridel Frédéric, Bluetens physiotherapist

This year, Bluetens has collaborated with Running Care, on this occasion our physiotherapist and head of the medical team gives an interview in which he mixes advice for runners and information on electrostimulation.

Can you introduce yourself quickly?

I have been a professional sports physiotherapist for 25 years, specialising in the physical recovery of athletes at all levels.

What do you think are the most important mechanisms that lead to running injuries?

Road running generates very few muscular injuries, they are mainly tendon or peritendinous problems, of the foot (aponeurosis and bone), but also at a distance of the lumbar, dorsal or cervical type, due to posture or running pattern disorders. Micro-trauma and the accumulation of stresses with poor recovery management will be one of the major causes of the problems encountered.

What is the role of muscle strengthening in injury prevention?

To work on muscular endurance during exercise and in particular the tendon-muscle pair.

Can we use equipment to strengthen the muscles useful in running?

Electrostimulation can provide reinforcement in different ways, targeting endurance for example, by not stressing the joints.

How does this equipment work? Does it have other virtues?

Through electrostimulation, the composition of the programmes contained in the Bluetens Application will act either as a muscle strengthening current, or as a relaxation and recovery objective stimulation, or as an analgesic current, for joint or ligament pain, for example the ice wiper syndrome known to certain runners. 

Is it also necessary to work on flexibility or other dimensions to avoid pain or injury?

Good muscular elasticity will reduce the constraints on the tendon and will be a favourable element in the prevention of injuries. However, do not exaggerate the amplitude of stretching, so as not to create joint instability.

Does the physical preparation work also allow you to progress and improve your times?

All the physical and preventive work done in addition will in fact be an element that favours performance.

If you had one last word to say to runners to keep them in good health...

One essential thing is to favour the pleasure found in running as an element of balance and well-being, that frequency is more important than large volumes from time to time, to listen to your body when it transmits even minimal warning signals, and above all that it is better to perform well over 5km, 10km or a half marathon, than to have pinned a large marathon on your CV and to have great difficulty recovering from it.