Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    ELITETRACK
    • Home
    • Articles
      • Endurance
      • Flexibility
      • Hurdles
      • Jumps
        • High Jump
        • Long Jump
        • Pole Vault
        • Triple Jump
      • Multi-Events
      • Periodization
      • Relays
      • Sports Science
        • Biomechanics
        • Coaching Science
        • Exercise Physiology
        • Muscle Dynamics
        • Nutrition
        • Restoration
        • Sport Psychology
      • Sprints
      • Strength Training
      • Throws
        • Discus
        • Hammer
        • Javelin
        • Shot Put
    • Blog
      • Mike Young’s Blog
      • Carl Valle’s Blog
      • John Evan’s Blog
      • Antonio Squillante’s Blog
      • Vern Gambetta’s Blog
      • John Grace’s Blog
      • Ryan Banta’s Blog
      • Guest Blog
    • Forums
    • Store
    • Log in
    ELITETRACK
    You are at:Home»Mike Young's Blog»Should you correct running technique?

    Should you correct running technique?

    0
    By Mike Young on July 1, 2011 Mike Young's Blog

    Dr. Yessis was kind enough to submit the following thought-provoking entry for the elitetrack blog. He brings up some great points that are quite similar to ones I have raised on this site’s forum before.

    I am always surprised at the number of runners and coaches fromaround the country, who strongly believe that you should neverchange running technique. They have been indoctrinated with themyth that the body will automatically adapt itself to the most efficientrunning technique. In other words, every runner will automatically runaccording to his or her maximum efficiency. They believe that thishappens automatically and that the more running you do, the morequickly you will find the best running gait for yourself.

    To a certain extent this is true as you may develop the most efficienttechnique in relation to energy expenditure. But this does not meanthat it is the most effective technique for production of speed and/or distance. Technique should always be adjusted and fine-tunedespecially as the runner improves in his physical abilities. Forexample as a runner becomes stronger it will change and modifyhis technique which may or may not be the most effective. Adjustingtechnique in relation to the increased strength then becomesnecessary.

    Running, just as every other athletic skill, must be learned if you wantto be an effective and efficient performer. There is no questioning thefact that we are born with some ability to run. But the technique is inrudimentary form. What you do as a youngster then determines whatyour final technique will look like.

    If you wish to excel in running and become as proficient as possible,then you must work on improving running technique. To also furtherenhance your physical running abilities, you must develop thephysical qualities that are needed. This includes not only specialmuscular strength and endurance to enable you to go the distance,but also an efficient cardiovascular and respiratory system to supplythe energy needed for the run.

    For maximum running efficiency and effectiveness, you must learnand improve some of the key elements of technique and incorporatethem into your running. They will not happen automatically. Forexample, most runners are heel hitters, but if you land on your heelyou are interfering with your running efficiency and effectiveness andmore importantly, this is not a natural movement. You learned it. Ifyou do not believe this, simply take off your shoes and run barefootlanding on your heel. If you run on asphalt or concrete, I guaranteethat you will be unable to run because of the pain experienced onevery landing.

    Making changes in technique is not always very easy, but the mostimportant factor to be considered, is that changes are possible. Youcan change technique (and your physical qualities) to become a moreproficient runner. To make the changes as easily as possible, youshould do specialized strength exercises that duplicate the sameneuromuscular pathway that is involved in the specific joint action.In this way you can strengthen specific running muscles and at thesame time develop a muscular feel for the action. Once you developthis muscular feel and the physical ability to execute an effective jointaction, then you can incorporate it into the total running stride.

    The key to successfully making changes in technique is to first havea very good understanding of what is involved in running techniqueso that you can determine exactly which joint action is lacking andis in need of correction or enhancement. In this way any changethat is made will show up as a positive influence on the runner’srunning. The adage, “don’t fix it if it ain’t broke” is a myth and holdsback progress. If you want to be a better runner, improvement intechnique is first and foremost. As technique is perfected you mustalso develop the physical qualities related to the technique for evengreater effectiveness.

    Discuss entry

    exercises sprint training sprinting mechanics technique
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

    Related Posts

    The Companions of the Compendium Podcast is Here!!

    My Learning Milestones

    2018: A Year in Review

    Like Us On Facebook
    - Facebook Members WordPress Plugin
    Highest Rated Posts
    • A Review of 400m Training Methods 79 votes, average: 4.92 out of 579 votes, average: 4.92 out of 579 votes, average: 4.92 out of 579 votes, average: 4.92 out of 579 votes, average: 4.92 out of 5 (4.92 out of 5)
    • 2008 Olympics: Usain’s Insane 100m 67 votes, average: 4.96 out of 567 votes, average: 4.96 out of 567 votes, average: 4.96 out of 567 votes, average: 4.96 out of 567 votes, average: 4.96 out of 5 (4.96 out of 5)
    • Top 10 Myths of Sprinting Mechanics 66 votes, average: 4.74 out of 566 votes, average: 4.74 out of 566 votes, average: 4.74 out of 566 votes, average: 4.74 out of 566 votes, average: 4.74 out of 5 (4.74 out of 5)
    • 14 reasons why Jamaica is the Sprint Capitol of the World 59 votes, average: 4.85 out of 559 votes, average: 4.85 out of 559 votes, average: 4.85 out of 559 votes, average: 4.85 out of 559 votes, average: 4.85 out of 5 (4.85 out of 5)
    • 12 Reasons to Squat Year Round 58 votes, average: 4.86 out of 558 votes, average: 4.86 out of 558 votes, average: 4.86 out of 558 votes, average: 4.86 out of 558 votes, average: 4.86 out of 5 (4.86 out of 5)
    • 6 Reasons Why All Athletes Should Sprint 63 votes, average: 4.32 out of 563 votes, average: 4.32 out of 563 votes, average: 4.32 out of 563 votes, average: 4.32 out of 563 votes, average: 4.32 out of 5 (4.32 out of 5)
    • 4 Tips for Keeping up with Sport Science Research 65 votes, average: 4.03 out of 565 votes, average: 4.03 out of 565 votes, average: 4.03 out of 565 votes, average: 4.03 out of 565 votes, average: 4.03 out of 5 (4.03 out of 5)
    • Loren Seagrave’s thoughts on Absolute Strength 54 votes, average: 4.80 out of 554 votes, average: 4.80 out of 554 votes, average: 4.80 out of 554 votes, average: 4.80 out of 554 votes, average: 4.80 out of 5 (4.80 out of 5)
    • 6 Reasons Why Jamaicans Dominate the Sprints 50 votes, average: 4.78 out of 550 votes, average: 4.78 out of 550 votes, average: 4.78 out of 550 votes, average: 4.78 out of 550 votes, average: 4.78 out of 5 (4.78 out of 5)
    • Developing Endurance in Speed-Power Athletes 58 votes, average: 4.09 out of 558 votes, average: 4.09 out of 558 votes, average: 4.09 out of 558 votes, average: 4.09 out of 558 votes, average: 4.09 out of 5 (4.09 out of 5)
    Recent Topics
    • ?Where I can start in multievents trainig?
    • Josh Hurlebaus Masters Training Log
    • How and when do hamstring injuries occur?
    • How and when do hamstring injuries occur?
    • Which fitness equipment do you use to exercise?
    About

    ELITETRACK is one of the longest standing sport training & conditioning sites on the web. We feature over 250 articles and 1000s of blog posts from some of the most knowledgeable and experienced track & field coaches on the web.

    Recent Posts
    • Evidence Based Recovery for Peak Performance
    • Dealing With Chronic Back Pain: 4 Ways To Cope
    • Effective Strategies to Lose Fat
    • What You Should be Doing on Your Rest Days
    • Enjoying Sports into Retirement
    Forum Activity
    • rudeboy on ?Where I can start in multievents trainig?
    • Pablo25 on How and when do hamstring injuries occur?
    • Josh Hurlebaus on Josh Hurlebaus Masters Training Log
    • Josh Hurlebaus on Josh Hurlebaus Masters Training Log
    • Josh Hurlebaus on Josh Hurlebaus Masters Training Log
    ELITETRACK by Human Performance Consulting, LLC. All Rights Reserved. 2015.
    ELITETRACK by Human Performance Consulting, LLC. All Rights Reserved. 2021.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.