When I was transitioning from heel strike running to forefoot running, my leg muscles were sore. I found that omega oil acted as an amazing sore muscles treatment that made my legs feel refreshed the next day.
Sore Muscles Treatment for Runners
Sore legs from running can be tempered with topical application of omega oil which promotes anti-inflammatory responses and improves durability and flexibility of the muscle cell-wall.
Sore ankles and calves are expected in the early stages of learning forefoot running. However, topical application of omega oil, which can be found in your local grocery store, deploys an arsenal of diverse protective effects to keep your muscle cells healthy and legs pain-free.
- The body does not synthesize omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, therefore they must be obtained through diet or supplementation. Applying omega oil topically however, can reduce joint and muscle pain as well as delayed onset muscle soreness.
Because of its direct anti-inflammatory effects, omega oil is becoming an attractive topical pain reliever that’s capable of reducing morning stiffness and joint tenderness. With these growing insights, applying omega oil topically might increase omega-3 concentrations in the muscle cell-wall thereby increasing elasticity and flexibility and reducing the risk of muscle injury during long, hard runs.
In addition, applying omega oil topically could help temper muscle tenderness and discomfort by attenuating inflammatory pathways such as cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways. Working together, these pathways mediate the type, intensity and duration of immune responses in such a way that decrease inflammatory responses and pain. Who knows, omega oil may even dampen production of proinflammatory processes that disrupt normal functioning of muscle cells.
For results, rub omega oil on sore areas before bed. Unfortunately, it is a tad greasy at first, but it’s worth it because it allows you to recuperate faster.
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Multiple Benefits of Forefoot Running
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References:
Krumbholz, R.., Lembke, P., Schirra, N. Patent: Novel use of Omega-3 Fatty Acids (EP2222292.A2), publ. 01-09-2010.
Lembke et al. Influence of omega-3 (N3) index on performance and wellbeing in young adults after heavy eccentric exercise. J Sports Med, 2014; 13, 151-156.
Poudyal, H., Panchal, S.K., Diwan, V. and Brown, L. (2011) Omega-3 fatty acids and metabolic syndrome: Effects and emerging mechanisms of action. Progress in Lipid Research 50, 372-387.
Bretta Riches
BSc Neurobiology; MSc Biomechanics candidate, ultra minimalist runner & founder of RunForefoot. I was a heel striker, always injured. I was inspired by the great Tirunesh Dibaba to try forefoot running. Now, I'm injury free. This is why I launched Run Forefoot, to advocate the health & performance benefits of forefoot running and to raise awareness on the dangers of heel striking, because the world needs to know.
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