stairs equal to running?

[VictorG]

So skipping is for warming up and foot work, pad and focus mitts are for cardio and running is for leg strength...or so ive read.

Would running across my hallway, up two flights of stairs and across again, up two more flights ect ect be equal to running outdoors? Im trying to avoid the pounding on my shins as ive had problems with shin splints many times in the past.also trying to find alternative to running when theres a foot of snow covering a sheet of ice thats the norm in my area around this time of year :P

Thanks

[Scott Bolinger]

running stairs would be good for ya. That should pump the legs pretty good.

[shark]

Hi Victor, Shin splits are a difficult injury to deal with. There is a chance that they may have been caused by the skipping if you are skipping on a hard surface or perhaps without shoes. Pay extra attention to stretching your calves before and after training. Stairs are great for building cardio and strength in your legs but i would stop two weeks before you fight to let your legs recover. A crosstrainer and rower at the gym would be valuable tools for you to use. Good luck..

[VictorG]

All my skipping is done on a carpet floor at the gym.Not exactly soft but besides the burning sensation it dosnt bother my legs or shins.But ive noticed that since ive started training it hurts right on the bone when i even run across the steet to catch a bus or try to hop up steps.Ive had shin splints befor and I can tell its not the same pain.Maybe its from the kicking the bag...

The muscles around my shins that would cause my problems in the past have not so far.Not exactly sure what to do if I cant run, ill talk to my coach or doctor if I cant sort it out soon.

[Scott Bolinger]

i'll have to try and find my sports medicine book, it has a good article on shin splints.

But off the top of my head, a couple things you could do, when your sitting down, do a bunch of pointing the toes and relax. You can also ice the shin. That might help out a bit.

[Scott Bolinger]

what i'd suggest is maybe using a shin and instep sparring gear for a while when working out on the heavy bag. Maybe 2 or 3 weeks, just work on alot of speed drills. But there's allways a chance of a stress fracture. Probably not, but you never know unless you see a doctor.

a few things on what the book say, is do RICE (rest, ice compression, elivate) for 48 to 72 hours, then heat.

or change a training program for a while. Less stress exercises like swimming, bike riding making sure the heal is over the peddle not the forefoot. If you put the forefoot on the peddle, then you got the stress back on the shin and calves.