FMH Physical Rehabilitation Department Hosts Two Running Clinics

Track teams from Spruce Mountain, Mt. Blue, and Mt. Abram invited to participate

 

FARMINGTON¾

 

Picture caption: Physical therapist Heather Paterson uses an Ipad app called “Coach My Video” to analyze Marah Black’s gait while running on a treadmill. Black is a freshman on the Mt. Blue track team.

 

The Franklin Memorial Hospital (FMH) Physical Rehabilitation department recently hosted two running clinics for high school track teams that are provided FMH athletic training services: Spruce Mountain, Mt. Blue, and Mt. Abram.

 

The clinics provided screening for flexibility, core strength, footwear choices, diet, and running gait. The running analysis is provided through a slow motion computer program that enables the clinician to analyze a person’s gait in millisecond increments.

 

FMH staff taking part in the clinics included: Dr. Thomas Pulling; athletic trainers Dan Waterman and Jeremy Starbird; physical therapists Heather Patterson, Jon Abell, Sue Davidson, and Marco Madison; and dietitian Katie Drouin.

 

Through extensive research and training, the physical therapist is able to analyze multiple points of contact during running to help prevent injury and improve performance.

 

The clinics received accolades from students, parents, and coaches. Organizers say plans are in place to offer the service again during the fall sports preseason in August.