Advanced Concepts in Running Injuries

Online Course

500+ enrollments from 33 countries since 2024 launch

Crafted with Rich Willy’s 25 years of research and expertise working with runners of all levels, this 16-hour course offers a meticulously curated collection of the latest evidence-based science and clinical care.

Drawing on research representing rehabilitation, biomechanics, tissue properties, physiology, and more, Rich translates high-level science into clear, concise, and practical principles that you can start using immediately to elevate your practice to the next level. Take this online course on any device, at your own pace.

$595

Click here to see all states that recognize CEU credits for this course.

Course Includes

• Six-plus hours of practical sessions packed with clinical examination skills, loading progressions, and treatment pearls that you can implement in your clinical practice tomorrow.
• A step-by-step running gait analysis technique that is fast and easy to implement in your clinical practice, requiring minimal equipment. Seemingly complex biomechanical concepts are explained in a simple and straightforward manner to transform your clinical practice.
• Criteria-based progressions to provide the very best available care for runners with patellofemoral and iliotibial band pain, lower limb tendinopathies and plantar fasciopathy, and bone stress injuries.
• Downloadable resources include a tibial bone loading program, return to run programs, an Alter-G load calculator, a low cost dynamometry equipment list and how-to guide, free software for gait analysis, and REDs screening tools.
• A breakdown of the science of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs), including how to implement the latest REDs guidelines from the International Olympic Committee.
• Examination skills to effectively screen for low-risk and high-risk bone stress injuries.
• Stage-by-stage progressions for tibial, metatarsal, fibular, navicular, and sacral bone stress injuries.
• Straight-forward strategies to prescribe footwear and tailor return-to-run programs for patellofemoral pain, iliotibial band pain, lower limb tendinopathies, and bone stress injuries.
• Clinic-ready gait retraining techniques using a runner’s GPS watch or real-time video using a tablet.
• Resistance training principles to enhance runner performance and musculoskeletal health, including how to tailor resistance programs for elite, high school, masters, and trail runners.

• Access to the course on any device at any time through Montana Running Lab’s premier online learning platform. Take the course on your desktop, or download the app to take the course on your phone or tablet.
• The ability to complete the course in your own timeframe. You’ll have access for the lifetime of the course (see below for details). Upon completion, you will receive a downloadable course certificate.
• A quiz after each module ensures comprehension and learning. Upon course completion, you will receive a downloadable course certificate.
• Downloadable resources that include a tibial bone loading program, return to run programs, an Alter-G load calculator, a low cost dynamometry equipment list and how-to guide, free software for gait analysis, and REDs screening tools.

Course Outline

Module 1 – Introduction and principles of loading of bone, tendon, and muscle – 60 minutes

Module 2 – Conducting a running biomechanics assessment – 88 minutes

Module 3 – Patellofemoral pain – 142 minutes

Module 4 – Iliotibial band pain – 95 minutes

Module 5 – Foot and ankle tendinopathies and plantar fasciopathy – 175 minutes

Module 6 – Relative Energy Deficit in Sport (REDs) and risk factors for bone stress injuries – 71 minutes

Module 7 – Bone stress injuries: Tibial, metatarsal, fibular, navicular, sacral, and femoral BSIs – 188 minutes

Module 8 – Return to running and gait retraining with practical component – 82 minutes

Module 9 – Strength and conditioning for the endurance runner – 78 minutes

Course Access

You will have lifetime access to the course, as long as the course site is maintained. You can watch the videos as many times as you like. All materials (handouts, various tools and calculators) are downloadable, except the videos. See terms and conditions for details.

About the Presenter

Rich Willy, PT, PhD is an internationally known speaker on the treatment of running-related injuries with 25 years’ experience as a physical therapist. His expertise is in treating runners of all ages and ability levels, including professional and elite runners and he maintains a clinical caseload. Besides his clinical work, he is a regular consultant for professional runners, NCAA and high school programs, and the NBA.

Rich has authored 70+ peer-reviewed papers on two populations: endurance runners and the military. Rich’s research aims to develop clinically effective treatments for common running-related injuries, such as patellofemoral pain, Achilles tendon injuries, and bone stress injuries. Among his papers, Rich is the first author of the recent Patellofemoral Pain Clinical Practice Guideline and has authored key papers on the treatment of individuals with bone stress injuries or Achilles tendinopathy. His research has been funded by the United States Department of Defense, the Foundation for Physical Therapy, and the Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy.

Learn more about Rich and download his CV.

At the Completion of the Course, You Will Be Able to:

1. Identify the most common running-related injuries and their underlying risk factors.
2. Understand the Load Capacity model.
3. Understand the concept of mechanotherapy as it relates to muscle, tendon, bone, and articular cartilage.
4. Be able to target different tissues i.e., muscle, tendon, and bone, with specific loading strategies.
5. Understand the evidence for predicting injury or running performance based on a gait analysis.
6. Be conversant in how the ankle, knee, and hip movement patterns contribute to running-related injuries.
7. Learn how to qualitatively analyze running biomechanics in a clinical setting.
8. Identify key risk factors in runners for patellofemoral pain and iliotibial band pain.
9. Know the examination strategies and skills for the runner with patellofemoral pain or iliotibial band pain.
10. Understand the best predictors of recovery for the individual with patellofemoral pain or iliotibial band pain.
11. Identify key risk factors for Achilles tendinopathy and plantar fasciopathy.
12. Identify diagnostic criteria for Achilles tendinopathy and plantar fasciopathy.
13. Develop a treatment plan for the runner with Achilles tendinopathy or plantar fasciopathy.
14. Be able to identify individuals most at-risk for a lower limb bone stress injury.
15. Understand low energy availability and how it might contribute to running-related injuries.
16. Know the best screening tools for REDs.
17. Know the diagnostic criteria for tibial, metatarsal, fibular, navicular, femoral, and sacral bone stress injuries.
18. Will be knowledgeable on the types of biomechanical loads that increase and decrease metatarsal, fibular, navicular, femoral, and sacral bone stress.
19. Be able to design a treatment plan for the runner with a metatarsal, fibular, navicular, femoral, or sacral bone stress injury.
20. Be able to identify the key components of a return to run program.
21. Gain knowledge on how to incorporate gait retraining into a runner’s rehabilitation program.
22. Design a strength and conditioning program for a runner.
23. Be able to tailor a strength and conditioning program for the adolescent, masters, or trail runner.

Continuing Education Credits: Approved by Texas CCAP for 16.00 units of CEUs, reference no. 78792TX; Approved for 1.6 CEUs by the California APTA Approval Number CPTA #25-125; Approved for 19.6 hours by the Science PT for New York. The Science PT is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Physical Therapy as an approved provider of physical therapy and physical therapist assistant continuing education. 14111 SE Tarnahan Ct, Happy Valley, OR 97086; Approved by the Ohio Physical Therapy Association for 16.25 hours, approval number 25S2737; This continuing education has been approved by the Maryland State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners for 16 Continuing Education Hours; Approved for 15.25 hours by the Minnesota Board or Physical Therapy, approval number 1345; Montana Running Lab, LLC (BOC AP#: P12185) is approved by the Board of Certification, Inc. to provide continuing education to Athletic Trainers (ATs). Program is eligible for maximum of (16) hours/Category A CEUs. ATs should claim only those hours spent in the educational program.

Montana Running Lab, LLC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, military status, sexual orientation or age. Montana Running Lab, LLC is committed to accessibility and non-discrimination in all aspects of its continuing education activities. Participants who have special needs are encouraged to contact program organizers so that all reasonable efforts to accommodate these needs can be made.

Rich Willy, PT, PhD and Montana Running Lab, LLC have no financial or personal conflicts of interest.

This program has been planned and implemented in accordance with the requirements and policies of the Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer (BOC) through the sponsorship of Montana Running Lab, LLC. Montana Running Lab, LLC is approved by the BOC to provide continuing education for Athletic Trainers.