An Analysis of Running Technique

This is an interesting article in regards to running technique, analyzing form.

An Analysis of Running Technique

Lauren Fleshman as guinea pig

By Michael Yessis, Ph.D.
As featured in the JulyAugust 2010 issue of Running Times Magazine

Running technique determines running efficiency, as well as what top speeds you can reach. Understanding your technique can also help you predict areas where you are prone to injury and where you can improve through specific strengthening.

In this article, I will look at Lauren Fleshman's stride at 5,000m pace and the main actions that occur. Included will be what makes the actions effective and, in some cases, in need of improvement. Keep in mind that the main actions that occur in the 5,000m are the same as the actions that occur in other running events. The only differences are in the amount of force generated and range of motion in the joint actions at each distance.

Focus will be on the three major force-producing actions: push-off, knee drive and pawback. You can track Lauren's stride on the above sequence through these phases. The push-off is the primary action needed to supply the force to drive you forward. The force comes from a powerful contraction of the calf muscle that is responsible for ankle joint extension, the main action involved in the push-off. The knee drive, which is coordinated with the push-off, supplies additional forward momentum. In the knee drive, the thigh is driven forward from a position behind the body to in front of the body. The height of the thigh at the end of the drive phase is determined by the force generated by the hip flexor muscles. The leg is then straightened and brought backward and downward in a "pawback" action to make contact with the ground.

Read on here.