Member May 2026: Updates in Running Medicine Literature (On-Demand)-Session Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

This session featured four resident-led presentations for AAPM&R’s Running Medicine member community, preceded by housekeeping notes about respectful conduct, recording, and Q&A procedures.<br /><br />The first talk, by Andrew Nowick, focused on photoprotection for runners. He emphasized that skin cancer is highly common and largely preventable, with ultraviolet exposure contributing substantially to melanoma risk. Runners were highlighted as a high-risk group due to prolonged outdoor exposure, yet many do not use adequate sun protection. He reviewed studies showing low rates of sunscreen use, skin self-exams, and protective clothing, especially among men. He also discussed race policies, noting that some ultra races now provide or require sunscreen and protective gear, while major marathons generally do not. He ended with practical tools for runners: hats, sunglasses, UPF clothing, sunscreen, lip balm, and avoiding peak UV hours when possible.<br /><br />Jake Goforth presented the “Runner’s Edge,” a community-based educational event for high school runners. The program addressed nutrition, footwear, recovery, sleep, stress, and bone health. Early results showed improved knowledge from pre- to post-test, especially on topics that related to injury prevention. Participants rated nutrition and recovery as especially useful. The team plans to expand the event and refine evaluation tools.<br /><br />Riley Barnes discussed exertional leg pain and popliteal artery entrapment syndrome. He reviewed the broad differential for exercise-related leg pain and explained why PAES may be underrecognized in runners. He described the limitations of current diagnostic approaches and outlined a planned ultrasound-based study to better characterize asymptomatic arterial compression across athlete groups.<br /><br />Abigail Badeau covered super shoes, explaining the rise of carbon-plated footwear, their performance benefits, and clinical concerns. She stressed gradual transition into use, the possibility of navicular stress injuries, and the shorter lifespan of these shoes compared with standard trainers.

Keywords

running medicine

photoprotection

skin cancer prevention

ultraviolet exposure

sunscreen use

runner education

injury prevention

exertional leg pain

popliteal artery entrapment syndrome

carbon-plated shoes

navicular stress injury