Chelmsford Physio Blog

Exercising in the Heat - 500+ Google Reviews - Your Local Essex Physio - Highly Qualified - Riverside Leisure Centre - All Types of Physiotherapy

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are among the most common knee injuries in sports, particularly in athletes participating in high-risk activities.

Why does my knee hurt when I run? - 500+ Google Reviews - Your Local Essex Physio - Highly Qualified - Riverside Leisure Centre - All Types of Physiotherapy

If you work with athletes, you already know that “good enough” testing isn’t enough. Performance changes quickly, technique varies from session to session, and fatigue can quietly shift how someone moves—even when they feel fine. That’s where force platforms like VALD Force Decks can be a game-changer for physio-led assessment and ongoing monitoring. Below, we break down the key benefits physios can use when assessing athletes with VALD force decks—from clarity in sprint and jump performance to smarter return-to-play decisions. If you are not testing, you are guessing! 1) Objective data beats guesswork Athletes and coaches often have great intuition, but clinicians need more than “it looked better.” VALD force decks provide quantitative, repeatable measures of force and performance through movements like jumping, landing, and dynamic tasks. Why it matters: When you’re tracking change over time, objective metrics reduce uncertainty and help you answer questions like: - Is this athlete actually improving, or just moving “better” subjectively? - Are their landing mechanics more stable because strength improved, or because the movement strategy changed temporarily?

Chelmsford Physio uses the VALD Dynamo — the world’s most advanced handheld strength and movement testing system for patients and athletes.

Recover faster, feel lighter, and boost circulation with Normatec Leg Recovery Sessions – now available to rent at Chelmsford Physio.

Game Ready - 500+ Google Reviews - Your Local Essex Physio - Highly Qualified - Riverside Leisure Centre - All Types of Physiotherapy

Pre-Season Preparation - 500+ Google Reviews - Your Local Essex Physio - Highly Qualified - Riverside Leisure Centre - All Types of Physiotherapy

Finishing a marathon is a major physiological stressor. Recovery is not just “rest”; it is a structured process involving rehydration, glycogen restoration, tissue repair, neuromuscular reset, and smart return to training. Below are evidence-informed strategies that many endurance athletes use—aligned with what research says is most helpful for performance and health following long-duration running. 1. Rehydrate and restore electrolytes promptly Long races cause significant fluid loss through sweating and ongoing dehydration risk can impair recovery, thermoregulation, and subsequent performance. Rehydration is most effective when you replace both fluids and sodium (electrolytes), not water alone, particularly if your sweat rate is high or you experienced heavy sweating/cramping. Practical strategy: - Within the first few hours: drink fluids consistently (small-to-moderate amounts frequently). - Use an oral rehydration solution or a sports drink if you’ve been sweating heavily or your body needs sodium. Why it matters: - Water intake supports restoring plasma volume and cellular hydration. - Sodium improves fluid absorption and retention (helping you rehydrate more effectively). (See recommendations on hydration and sodium replacement in endurance settings: Baker and Jeukendrup, 2014; Rehrer, 2012)