856-448-4196
Back
, , , ,

I Need to Get Faster: Improving Running Mechanics

Sprint Mechanics, Sports Performance, Sports Coach, Fitness, Hockey, Speed

I Need to Get Faster: Improving Running Mechanics

 

Strong and Stable Ankles, Hips, and Knees

For athletes, having a strong foundation is crucial. Unstable ankles, knees, and hips can lead to serious injuries such as ACL or LCL tears, twisted ankles, or awkward landings. Building stability and strength in these joints is essential for preventing injury and enhancing performance.

Running Mechanics: How Am I Running?

To maximize your running efficiency, push off with your toes and strike the ground with your midfoot, not your heel. Heel striking can slow you down and increase the risk of injury by failing to absorb the ground’s impact effectively. Your toes and midfoot act as a “spring,” propelling you forward into the next step. Heel contact, on the other hand, disrupts momentum and can lead to shin splints by transferring force up the foot and into the shin.

Heel Strike or Foot Strike: What’s the Right Way?

Research indicates that heel striking is more energy-efficient for athletes running at slower to moderate speeds. However, for those aiming to increase speed and explosiveness, foot striking is more effective. Foot striking reduces ground contact time, leading to quicker reaction times and faster speeds.

Bringing It All Together

Becoming a faster athlete involves multiple factors: running mechanics, foot speed, mobility, and stability. Each of these elements plays a critical role in improving overall speed. Whether your goal is to enhance speed or agility, focusing on controlling your movements, mastering the hip hinge, and maintaining strength and stability will be key to optimizing performance and reducing the risk of injury.

 

#unleashthepotential

Written by:

Darrid Watson, CSCS, NSCA-CPT

 

 

Take action… Now!

Name(Required)
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Training Aspects Personal Training and Sports Performance:

Visit us: Inside of the Flyers Training Center 601 Laurel Oak Rd. Voorhees, NJ 08043

Recent posts
  • The TA Boxing Brotherhood of Strength and Support
    Boxing Performance, Fit and healthy, Sports performance, Uncategorized, Weight Loss
    The TA Boxing Brotherhood of Strength and Support

    The TA Boxing Community of Support At TA Boxing, we’re more than just a gym—we’re a source of unwavering support for men on their fitness journeys and in life’s everyday battles. Our mission is to push you through intense training while strengthening your mental toughness, preparing you to face life’s toughest tests with confidence and…

    CoachT
  • Take Good Care of the Hips: Enhance Stability, Mobility, and Performance
    Fit and healthy, Personal trainer tips, Sports performance
    Take Good Care of the Hips: Enhance Stability, Mobility, and Performance

    When it comes to physical performance and overall movement, the hips are the powerhouse of the body. Whether you’re an athlete or someone focused on staying healthy and active, hip stability and mobility should be a top priority. These two factors are essential for proper weight transfer and power generation by playing a critical role…

    Dan Aquino
  • Quick Effective Hockey Mobility Strengthening Techniques
    Cherry Hill sports performance, Hockey Performance, Personal trainer tips, Sports performance
    Quick Effective Hockey Mobility Strengthening Techniques

    Quick Effective Hockey Mobility Strengthening Techniques Everyone is looking for the next best stretching and mobility exercises for hockey. What if I told you it was less about the specific exercises and more of the approach or techniques you were using to gain more mobility. Stretching and mobility exercises are a dime a dozen, but…

    Jostr1
Subscribe to our newsletter
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.