The Impact of Impact and Repetition

If you were to run a marathon you would take about 40,000 steps. If your hips were unstable, you had knee pain, back pain, or foot issues, those 40,000 steps may seem worse than walking on glass. Good thing for you that you don’t run marathons, right?

If you’re like the average person, you take about 4,000 steps per day. That adds up to 120,000 steps per month. That means every year the average person takes 1.4 MILLION steps. You’re likely walking the equivalent of 3 marathons per month or 36 marathons every year! This doesn’t even include the miles that you’re running at the gym so think about how many steps you’ll take throughout your life!

Are you beginning to understand the impact repetition has on your body? Can you see that even if you are out of alignment a little bit how the repetitions over time can add up and wear down your joints? Hopefully, you’re starting to see the big picture.

That example illustrates the impact that repetition has on your body but what about if you were an avid runner and your joints are not only being affected by repetition but also impact. When you run, the forces on your knees are 400% higher than normal. If you weigh just 100lbs, the force on your knee when you run is 400lbs!!! Can you imagine how that would break down your knees even faster if you’re running incorrectly?

Lucky for you, the body is resilient; but it can’t hold up forever. If you’re out of alignment, you’re breaking your body down much quicker than it can recover. Your joints cannot handle the uneven stress over the years and inevitably, something must give. Take the time to look at your movement patterns and see where your imbalances are; we all have them. Actively work on balancing your body so you can run well into the later part of your life. Staying balanced and aware of how your body is moving is the key to longevity. Master your movements and master your life one step at a time!