The Biomechanics of Running

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The Biomechanics of Running

• 7/8 PE
• Track and Field Unit
• 2nd Semester

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What is Biomechanics?

• Biomechanics refers to the way our muscles,
  bones, and joints work together as we move.

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Running vs. Walking

• Running and walking gaits are not the same
• Walking has a greater stride width
• Running has a narrower stride width
• Running has a greater step and stride length

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Walking Gait
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The Running Cycle

• There are three phases to the running cycle
• Stancefoot on ground
• Swingfoot coming up or down
• Floatnot touching the ground

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Running Gait
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Foot Pronation and Supination

• Pronation is when the heel strikes the ground and
  the foot rolls inward.
• It is the normal motion of the foot when you
  walk or run.
• Supination is the opposite motion of pronation.
  The foot supinates, or rolls on its outer edge,
  to help with stability as we walk or run.

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Pronation and Supination

• Picture of right foot
• Moving excessively inward
• This is Overpronation
• Runners with low arches tend
• to overpronate
• Picture of right foot
• Moving excessively outward
• This is Oversupination
• Runners with high arches tend
• to oversupinate

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Foot Strike

• Distance running Generally, heel-first, then toe
  push-off
• Sprinting Generally, on ball of foot, then toe
  push-off

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Check your Form, Part One

• Head uplook straight
• ahead
• Run talldont slouch
• Arms should be at a 90-degree angle
• Hands should stay relaxedcup your hands (thumb
  to forefinger)
• (Pictured above is Kelsey Santisteban from CVHS)

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Check your Form, Part Two

• Swing your legs naturallyknees should not come
  above their natural swing
• Do not overpronate
• or oversupinate
• your feet
• Dont overstride (dont reach for the next stride)

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Check your Form, Part Three

• RELAX! Staying relaxed means keeping your face,
  hands, and arms loose while you run

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What did you learn from this?

• Please write something that you didnt know
  before, on your handout
• _________________________________________________
  __________________________________________________
  __________________________________________________
  _________________________

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References

• Bird, A. (2002). Biomechanics of Running.
  Retrieved from http//www.latrobe.edu.au/podiatry/
  documents/podbiopdfs/BioofRunning.pdf
• American Running Association. (2010). Check your
  form Running with correct biomechanics. Accessed
  from http//www.active.com/running/Articles/Check_
  your_form__Running_with_correct_biomechanics.htm
• What is biomechanics? Accessed from
  http//sportspodiatry.co.uk/biomechanics.htm
• Pourtauborde, A. (2010). What is pronation?
  Accessed from http//www.wisegeek.com/what-is-pron
  ation.htm