06/04/2026
β°οΈππ»ββοΈItβs trail season!!!
That means more vert and DOWNHILL running.
Downhill running puts a ton of stress on the anterior knee, notably the quad muscles, quad tendons, and patellar tendons. This means we want to build up the durability of these structures so they can handle the immense demands of downhill running.
Here are three exercises Iβve used for myself and our runners to help them get ready for the descent:
1. Seated knee extension with an eccentric bias:
This targets the patellar tendons and quad tendon. We use heavier loads (rate of perceived exertion βRPEβ of 7 for new lifters, 8 for more experienced lifters) with two reps still left in the tank. Reps are performed slowly, since tendon can respond well to slow, controlled repetitions.
2. Bulgarian split squats with a quad bias: This is also a cooker, but helps with balance due to the single-legged nature. It also forces the foot, ankle, and hip to stabilize which is important for overall leg stability. The heel is elevated to shift more of the load to the anterior knee.
3. Bent knee heel raises: Although this does not directly target the knee, it helps to strengthen the soleus which helps to control the ankle dorsiflexion as the knee moves over the foot while going downhill. The soleus is also a powerhouse when it comes to running and a durable soleus to decrease the risk of plantar fascia and Achilles issues.
Here at Clinch Performance and Recovery, we want to help our runners and endurance athletes do hard things.
If you found this helpful, reach out to us for a discovery call and we would love yo help you. Link in the bio.
Clinch Performance and Recovery
Performance physical therapy services in Reno for people who are serious about living an active lifestyle.
Our 3 Step Process:
Ditch the pain.π
Build resilience and mobility.πͺπ
Clinch your goals! πββοΈπ΄ββοΈπββ°οΈ
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