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Biomechanics of Running

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Raj Patel
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20 views

Biomechanics of Running

Uploaded by

Raj Patel
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Introduction

• Running is another locomotor activity similar to walking.


• It requires greater muscular strength, balance & ROM than normal
walking.
• It considerably reduce BOS & absence of double support time.
• The study of running biomechanics refers to understanding of –
• The structure, function & capability of the lower extremities.
• Overall kinetic chain that allow a human to run.
• Understanding of structures & its function will help to diagnose &
treat injuries that occur from running.
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Running vs. Walking
• Running & walking gaits are not the same
• Walking has a greater stride width
• Running has a narrower stride width
• Running has a greater step & stride length

24-Nov-21 Running Biomechanics 3


Running Cycle
• There are three phases to the running cycle:
• Stance—foot on ground
• Swing—foot coming up or down
• Float—not touching the ground

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RUNNING CYCLE
• Stance phase/ Contact Phase/ Support Phase
• Foot strike/ loading phase
• Mid-support/ mid-stance
• Take off/ drive-off
• Swing phase
• Follow through/ early swing
• Forward swing
• Foot descent/ late swing
• Float phase
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Stance Phase
• Begins with foot strike, followed by mid-stance, & then take-off.
• Different muscle groups, bones & joints are acting uniquely in each
of these actions.

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Foot strike
• The muscles, tendons, bones & joints of the foot & the lower leg function to
absorb the impact of landing.
• Landing is facilitated by actions of subtalar joint which causes pronation of the foot.
• In addition, plantar fascia stretches to allow the foot to expand and absorb the
landing
• Dorsiflexion at talocrural joint, accompanied by knee flexion & hip motion
involved in distributing the force of impact.
• Rectus femoris & gastrocnemius transfer the energy of impact from ankle - knee
to hip & absorb the force.

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Foot Strike
• Different Patterns of Foot Strikes –
• Heel strike (Lateral heel strike)
• Mid-foot strike
• Forefoot strike
• Pronators:
• Land on outside of heel & then finish mid to medial forefoot.
• Supinator's:
• Finish stance phase on the lateral forefoot.

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Foot Pronation and Supination
• Pronation:
• It is when the heel strikes the ground & the foot rolls inward.
• It is the normal motion of the foot when you walk or run.
• Supination:
• It 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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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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Mid-stance
• The foot begins to move from pronation to supination in preparation
for take-off.
• The hamstrings shorten & contract as the leg continues through the
mid-stance.

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Take-off / Toe-off
• Hamstring contraction & push-off motion caused by the
gastrocnemius, soleus & Achilles tendon cause plantar flexion of
ankle.
• It allows stance leg to take-off or toe-off.

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Landing Impact Force
• The foot absorb up to 3 times body weight when striking the ground.
• Running shoes designed to cushion the foot neutralize certain force
& prevent injuries.
• Evidence that suggests that shoes inhibit some adaptive pronation
during running, which protects runners from injury.
• Shoes, which promote heel strike, have shown to decrease metabolic
& mechanical efficiency in running.

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Landing Impact Force
• Landing on mid-foot or forefoot helps dissipate impact forces >
landing on heel.
• During heel strike, the ankle is stiffer & unable to distribute impact
forces as that of midfoot or forefoot strike.

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Swing Phase
• It occurs when the lower extremity swings through the air from
take-off to foot strike.
• This consists of follow through, forward swing & foot descent, ending with
foot strike.

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Swing Phase
• Early Swing:
• As take-off occurs, rectus femoris & anterior tibialis muscles are the most
active.
• Mid Swing:
• Rectus femoris is active during the middle of swing phase.
• Late Swing:
• Hamstrings, gastrocsoleus complex & hip extensors are active during late
swing phase.

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Float Phase
• It includes forward rotation of ipsilateral pelvis & hip flexion
• It is caused by psoas & along with the core muscles which allows
twisting of the pelvis.

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Pronation & Supination
Over pronation
• Moving excessively inward
• Runners with low arches tend to over pronate

Over supination
• Moving excessively outward
• Runners with high arches tend to over supinate

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Check your Form, Part One
• Head up—look straight ahead

• Run tall—don’t slouch

• Arms should be at a 90-degree angle

• Hands should stay relaxed—cup your hands (thumb to forefinger)

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Check your Form, Part Two
• Swing your legs naturally—knees should not come
above their natural swing

• Do not over pronate or over supinate your feet

• Don’t over stride (don’t reach for the next stride)

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Check your Form, Part Three
• RELAX! Staying relaxed means keeping your
face, hands, & arms loose while you run.

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References
• Tom F. Novacheck. The biomechanics of running. Gait and Posture. (1998) 7:77–95.
• Terry L. Nicola & David J. Jewison, The Anatomy and Biomechanics of Running. Clin Sports Med 31 (2012)
187–201.
• 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-
pronation.htm

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