ACL Injury Prevention

News reports tout the Prevent Injury and Enhance Performance (PEP) warm-up program that researchers tested on women soccer players. This routine, which takes about 20 minutes 3 times per week, greatly reduced ACL injuries in these women athletes. While an agility run with your dog takes less time than a soccer game, I suspect the routine makes sense canine agility handlers too. In fact, it seems quite similar to the Human Agility Training classes that Lori Hansen teaches. Her DVD is available from Clean Run and on Amazon. Lori focuses on running mechanics and other agility issues, but her dynamic warm-up is great too.

Back when I took Lori’s classes here in Denver (when I still thought Lilly and I might be able to compete), these workouts improved my running speed and form AND helped my cardio fitness too. I’ve since regained the few pounds I lost running around with Lori. (boo!)