In previous articles on running form, I discussed a common issue runners encounter—namely, lateral hip drop due to weak or inactive hip abductors (article 1 | article 2). In this article, I focus on the basic body position for effective running. A common piece of advice given to runners is to “run tall.” To grasp what this looks like, imagine a straight line draw from your … [Read more...] about Maximizing Body Position for Economical Running
Prehab
Using Video Analysis to Examine Running Gait
The Case of a Runner with Hip Drop In a previous article on this topic, I discussed the important role that the hip abductors play in stabilizing a runner through the gait cycle. The hip abductors—gluteus medius and gluteus minimus—are often weak compared to the hip adductors in runners, which leads to a dropping of the hip opposite the planted leg. If left uncorrected, this … [Read more...] about Using Video Analysis to Examine Running Gait
Overcoming Dropped Hips for Better Running Form
Are you a runner that has dealt with your share of iliotibial (IT) band or knee problems? Are you a new or veteran runner who would like to avoid those problems? Evidence suggests that many of these problems can be overcome by addressing a key weakness that numerous runners exhibit: weak hips.* Running is an activity that takes place primarily in the sagittal plane—meaning … [Read more...] about Overcoming Dropped Hips for Better Running Form