While it is a notable event with significant benefits for elite athletes and novice runners alike, it is often a stressful event for the body and mind.
The South African Society of Physiotherapy (SASP) is the peak body representing the interests of South African Physiotherapists and its patients and will take part in the Comrades Marathon as one of the organisations present in support of athletes for this gruelling body test.
As a public benefit organisation, the SASP is a voluntary society for physiotherapists that plays an important role in the daily life of patients and athletes. Without the organisation, people would have limited options for improving their injuries, their daily living, and their overall health.
The society is not only recognised as being representative of the profession of physiotherapy in the country but its presence will be seen at the Comrades Expo at the Durban ICC, on race day, as well as at the finish line of the Comrades Marathon.
While the organisation’s role is behind the scenes, the physios on the Comrades race checkpoints assist athletes to be in peak form throughout the race and determine the success of an athlete’s performance.
“Physiotherapy training is a necessity, rather than a luxury. During marathon training, regular sports massage should be integrated to ensure the overall success of an athlete’s performance. The importance of our work is in the same line of work as that of coaches, nutritionists, doctors, and sports psychologists,” says Brent Grimsley, Chief Physiotherapist of the Elite Athlete Development Programme.
The essence of the work doesn’t just involve improving strength and endurance, but it is centred around improving one’s overall physical condition.
This includes a thorough physical analysis of the body and running gait, to help identify potential problems such as weak muscles, joint-related problems, poor foot pronation, poor running style, and flexibility and posture problems.
“We have a holistic approach around the work that we do. This is because some runners may be physically fit but suffer from health issues or niggling muscle irritations resulting from their daily routine, and these can in turn lead to problems during long-distance running. Physiotherapy as a practice encompasses posture, balance and movement, injury and the healing process.” said Rogier van Bever Donker Deputy President of the SASP.
For the South African Society of Physiotherapy, as the body speaking on behalf of physiotherapists, training starts long before the event takes place, with veteran runners and newcomers needing physiological assistance to help them be prepared.
On the big day, the organisation volunteers its services along the route, with numerous stations set to assist runners to reach their goals. The work doesn’t end there, as post-race health care is required to attend to potential injuries.
The SASP does all of this to ensure the success of the sporting event and that of the athletes.
While thousands of runners prepare for the world’s biggest ultra-marathon on Sunday, 28 August in KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa between the cities of Durban and Pietermaritzburg, this year’s event promises to be highly attended not just by the athletes but the supporting crowds that have famed the running feat of endurance.
As a build-up to the Ultimate Human Race, the three-day Comrades Expo is back with much anticipation from runners, exhibitors and supporters, from 25 to 27 August.
The South African Society of Physiotherapy will also be there to promote awareness of the profession and engage with the entire Comrades Marathon community. This is the one year you can’t afford to miss it!
