FIX POOR RUNNING FORM

IMPROVE YOUR SPRINTING FORM

If your running/sprinting form is incorrect, you will not be playing or competing up to your capabilities.  Improving running form can be done with the right coaching focusing on upper body mechanics, lower body mechanics, as well as improving muscle function.  Lets get faster with better running mechanics!  Here are 4 methods to help improve running form: For youth athlete training or help with an injury, please click HERE or contact Will at Will@truetraining.pro EFFICIENT ARM ACTION The arms lead the legs.   They can can either increase or reduce power.  Arm action can also lead to better efficiency in the direction you go. .  So if the arm action is poor, a lot of problems can occur.   Something to consider is, depending on the event or sport action you are training - you will have different arm action.   So getting with a running professional will help.   Action Step:    contact a nearby running mechanics specialist and let them know the athlete's current running form as well as which sport/event they want to improve at UPPER BODY ANGLE Something to consider is the spine position/upper body posture.   Also, the angle of lean the upper body has.  Just like the arm actions, this will need to change when the sport action/event changes.  In general, there should be a relaxed yet tall upper body so the trunk remains more stable and can produce more power to the limbs.  There should also be a lean to some degree in the direction you are going.  For this, in general, the faster you go - the more lean you will need in the direction you are going.   Action Step:   take a video of the event/sport action you are trying to improve and show a running / performance coach so they can see what needs to be improved LOWER BODY MECHANICS The lower body sprinting mechanics for acceleration are not very complicated - there is a forward action where the knee goes forward as the knee bends followed by a backward action where the thigh and shin fires back/down towards the ground with a rigid foot.   Too often, there is a reach out in front and the foot lands way out in front with the toes pointed down, this slows down the athlete.    Action Step:   Wall Drills that focus on lower body mechanics can be used to help understand this forward and back action that helps an athlete accelerate better  MUSCLE ACTIVATION TECHNIQUES A method I use, along with speed mechanics to help athletes move better, is MAT.  If there is low tolerance to sprinting or muscles in the trunk, hips, or legs are not functioning well enough; there will be reduced motion and force output while attempting to sprint.   MAT can improve muscle function so the runner/sprinter can move faster and more efficiently again.   Action Step:   contact your nearest MAT expert and set up an assessment and treatment  If you have any questions or would like to set up an appointment, please click HERE or contact me at Will@truetraining.pro  Will Mieding  M.S., CSCS, RTS, MAT Rx 1227 Sagamore Parkway North Suite A 765-230-3770 www.truetraining.pro