The New Science of Running Form | EP#136

A large study (N=97) recently conducted at Loughborough University gives us the best insights we have so far in what aspects of running form and technique actually matter in terms of bringing about improved running economy, and improved performance. 

• 39% of running economy variance can be explained with just 3 individual running form parameters.
• 31% of running performance variance can be explained with just 4 individual running form parameters.
• The impact on running performance and economy of braking, vertical oscillation, stride parameters (ground contact time, stride rate, stride length, etc), posture, and lower limb angles 

6:39 -

• Purpose: determine the relationship between running technique variables and 1) running economy (RE) and 2) running performance.
• Methods: 97 runners (male and female, various abilities from recreational to elite) ran on a treadmill and RE was measured at various speeds while five categories of kinematic measures (vertical oscillation, braking, posture, stride parameters, and lower limb angles) were recorded. Season best times (converted to equivalent 10k time) were used to assess the relation between technique and performance
• Results: 19 kinematic variables were individually correlated with RE and 11 with performance. Regression analysis found three variables (pelvis vertical oscillation during ground contact normalized to height, minimum knee joint angle during ground contact, and minimum horizontal pelvis velocity) explained 39% of RE variability. For performance, four variables (minimum horizontal pelvis velocity, shank touchdown angle, duty factor, and trunk forward lean) combined to explain 31% of the variability.
• Conclusion: This study is the first large-scale study to provide evidence that technique explains a substantial proportion of the variance in RE and performance.

11:55 -

• From previous research, there is very little knowledge and concensus about the relationship between running kinematics and running economy and running performance.
• Most previous studies have been small, and found no results or conflicting results. 
• Methodologies have often been inadequate.
• A recent review of strategies to improve running economy provided no recommendations with regard to running technique, confirming that no scientific consensus has been established.  
• The researchers of this study hypothesised that five aspects of kinematics may influence running economy and performance:
  • Stride parameters
  • Vertical oscillation​
  • Changes in horizontal velocity during ground contact (aka braking)
  • Trunk and pelvis orientation (aka posture)
  • Lower limb angles

• They set out to create a large study, since the contribution of running technique to both performance and economy is expected to be quite modest so a large sample is needed to get any statistically significant results. 

15:00 -

• 97 regular runners (running two times or more per week and considered the running to be their primary sport or physical activity).
• These 97 included 29 elite runners (15 males with a 10k SB of better than 31 minutes and 14 females SB of better than 35 minutes for)
• 68 recreational runners (35 males with a SB of better than 52 minutes for the 10k and 33  females with a 10k SB of better than 57 minutes).
• They all had a BMI of less than 24 ​
• They were free from moderate injury in the past three months and free from minor injuries in the past one month.
• The protocol was an incremental running protocol on a treadmill, starting from a very easy pace and then increasingly getting faster. Lactate samples were collected to measure lactate threshold, and respiratory gas analysis was used to be able to calculate running economy.
• A number of high-tech cameras allowed them to capture very detailed views of all aspects of their running form, and these videos were used to later calculate the values for each of the running form parameters.
• The analysis was done at the highest speeds that was below the anaerobic threshold (lactate turnpoint) for all runners, ie. 10-12 km/h. This is slow for the elite runners, but made sure that running economy really was measured at a submaximal velocity for all runners.

19:28 - 

• 19 kinematic variables were correlated with running economy and 11 with running performance. The correlations were weak to moderate.
• Individual correlations aren't that strong evidence that any single variable is actually important. Let's say for example, that stride rate is correlated with better running economy. That does not mean that increasing your stride rate will improve your running economy. 
• A much more powerful way to measure which variables really matter is the multiple linear regression analysis the researchers did where they combined all of the different variables to see which combination of a handful of variables explains most of the variance in running economy and in running performance. 
• 39.4% of the variance in running economy was explained by a combination of three different variables. 
  • Vertical oscillation of the pelvis normalized to height during ground contact
  • Minimum knee joint angle during ground contact
  • Minimum horizontal velocity of the pelvis (ie. braking)
• 30.5% of the variance in running performance was explained by a combination of four different variables. 
  • Minimum horizontal velocity of the pelvis (ie. braking)
  • Shank angle at touchdown
  • Duty factor (the percentage of a time that your foot is in contact with the ground compared to your overall stride cycle duration) ​
  • Forward lean of the trunk

31:48 - 

• Braking (measured as minimum horizontal velocity of the pelvis) seems to be a very important variable. Perhaps the most important one?
• Vertical oscillation at ground contact was a strong one as well. Do not sit into the ground as you land. Keep your pelvis level and moving forward on the same horizontal line at all times. 
• Posture: avoid unnecessary rotations and other movements. A forward lean may be beneficial, but I'd advise caution here, because a lot of triathletes already run bent forward at the waist, and that is not what a forward lean of the trunk should look like. If you use a forward lean, make sure you do not bend forward at the waist. 
• Of the stride parameters, duty factor was the most important one, although lower ground contact time and higher stride rate also had positive individual correlations. They did not contribute to the regression models, though. 
• Of the lower limb angles, the shank angle at touchdown was the most important one. A smaller shank angle (straighter leg) was better.
• For uneconomical runners, this study suggests yet again that a low stride rate and too long stride length (over-striding) could be some of the main culprits. 

• Running Technique is an Important Component of Running Economy and Performance
• Scientific Triathlon training camp in the Algarve, Portugal, 20-27 Ocotber 2018
• Running science: economy, strength training, lactate threshold, and performance predictors with Jordan Santos | EP#117
• Running form and the search for common ground among top coaches, researchers, physicians, and physical therapists with Jonathan Beverly | EP#116
• Running form, biomechanics, shoes, and myths part 1 with Dr. Thomas Hughes | EP#110
• Running form, biomechanics, shoes, and myths part 2 with Dr. Thomas Hughes | EP#111
• Dysfunctional movement patterns, injuries and reduced performance with James Dunne | EP#45
• All Running-related episodes on That Triathlon Show

Connect with host Mikael Eriksson

Hi! I'm your host Mikael,

I am a full-time triathlon coach and an ambitious age-group triathlete. My goal is podium at the Finnish national championships within the next few years.

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