How can the running speed be increased?

Question

Hi doctor,

My 10-year-old son plays excellent badminton, but his weak point is his running speed. He is slow in running. I have attached three photos and one video of his legs. Can you see something wrong with them? How can he increase his running speed? By physiotherapy, or some exercises?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Yes, your son has a slightly knocked knee gait. By that I mean his knees strike each other if he were to stand with his heels coming together. This is usually not a problem unless the child has got a marked deformity or cannot run fast, or tends to fall knocking his knees while falling. We first need to measure the exact degree of Genu Valgum. This is done in the following two ways:

Get your child to stand with his knees barely touching together. The resultant gap between the ankles is an indicator for Genu Valgum. The gap should not exceed 8 cm.
Get long leg X-rays in a 36 inches plate with a line drawn from the center of the femoral head to the center of the ankle. This will help detect the valgus ankle if more than 15 degrees as then it is an indication for surgical correction.

For more information consult a fitness expert online.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

To run fast your son had to do strength training and stretches. He should see a good trainer and do endurance exercises as well as strengthening exercises. There is something called skeletal and muscular maturity as this will only come with age. Till then do not push your child too hard.

For more information consult a fitness expert online.