Ever wondered what you look like when you run? Your running style will determine how energy efficient you are as well as how likely you are to pick up an injury.
1. The Ultra
This efficient running style is built for distance. A higher cadence means that impact forces are reduced, and therefore has a lower risk of injury. At faster speeds, more energy is needed to maintain such a fast leg turnover. Glute and hamstring exercises or hill running will improve speed endurance and prevent over-striding.
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2. The Cruiser
I This running style maintains a smooth flowing action and lacks the bounce seen in other profiles. Shorter strides coupled with fast cadence make for lower impact forces. Plyometric exercises will increase elastic bounce and drills to improve stride length will improve range and efficiency. Skipping will also improve push-off, elasticity and leg power.
3. The Flyer
This efficient running style is built for distance. A higher cadence means that impact forces are reduced, and therefore has a lower risk of injury. At faster speeds, more energy is needed to maintain such fast leg turnover. Glut and hamstring exercises or hill running will improve speed and endurance and prevent over-striding.
4. The Floorless
This running style is the perfect balance of speed and power. The low contact time coupled with a medium cadence and vertical displacement make this style the optimum for distances up to the marathon. Relying on forward propulsion over elastic rebound makes injury risk lower. If speed is required then leg stiffness must increase and plyometric drills will improve elastic rebound energy.
5. The Reacher
This running style makes full use of the range of movement available but can often lead to over-striding. A high contact time reduces forces but a tendency to reach for new heights may create larger forces around the knee and hip joint. Drills to reduce stride length and increase stiffness will prevent unnecessary breaking forces and quick step drills will reduce contact time eventually improving speed.
6. The Bounder
This running style is powerful and speed comes naturally. A high vertical displacement and high contact time make you as comfortable off the road as you are on the road. Drills aimed at reducing contact time will quicken your step and measures to prevent over striding will protect your joints from the impacts associated with such a vaulting stride. Putting some of that vertical energy in the forward direction will make you unstoppable.
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