Do you sit all day at work?
If your daily lifestyle includes a lot of sitting, this might be the reason you’re developing some running injuries…
Even extremely active people and competitive runners are at risk for developing the issue discussed in this week’s newsletter due to prolonged sitting during the day!
Continuing our “Running Form” series…
At AWAKEN, we strive to continuously learn and educate our clients on how to maximize their running performance (no matter what level they are at) all while staying healthy along the way!
One of the coolest ways that we get to apply our knowledge with our clients is through our comprehensive 3D Running analysis service that categorizes a runner’s form into one of twelve different categories!
The first four categories all have one common denominator - over-striding. Category four is all about cadence, categories 6-8 include variations of collapsing mechanics, and category nine represents bouncing.
This brings us to category ten in our ‘roadmap’ to efficient running form: “Glute Amnesiac.”
What is glute amnesia?
Glute amnesia, otherwise known as “dead-butt syndrome,” occurs when someone’s gluteal muscles become weak and inactive.
In today’s culture, prolonged sitting represents the most common cause of this issue.
This ultimately leads to imbalances and inhibits activation of the glute muscles when running if these muscles lack the strength to counteract the imbalances caused by a sedentary desk job, school, or general lifestyle.
How do you know if you’re a glute amnesiac?
When examining someone’s running form through our advanced 3D Running analysis service, this typically shows up when a runner keeps their trunk/back more upright, accompanied by the lack of a forward lean.
Sometimes these runners even appear as if they’re tilted back…think about how much this could (literally) hold you back from performing at your best!
Glute amnesiac runners tend to push off the ground by leaning through their back as opposed to pushing forward through their hips causing a lack of hip extension– this in turn causes more stress being placed throughout the back.
The increased stress on the back reduces the glute amnesiac runner’s ability to absorb forces as efficiently, therefore inhibiting a powerful push off.
Inhibiting an efficient and powerful push off causes decreased running economy and increased injury risk!
What should you do about it?
After having a trained specialist perform an individualized evaluation ensuring that the actual ROOT CAUSE of the glute amnesia is being treated, a beneficial program would include drills and exercises that focus on strengthening the hips and improving forward lean as well as improving posture.
Following this program will help reduce stress on the body from inefficiencies in running form, which will improve performance and decrease injury risk.
With stronger hips and better posture, a runner will be able to counteract the inefficiencies caused from prolonged sitting during the day.
And a stronger, more efficient runner is a faster runner!
Are you ready to take your running to the next level!?
At AWAKEN, our 3-Dimensional Running Gait Analysis service is a 90-minute session that includes a running-specific movement screen, a helix 3D running gait analysis, a 10-page packet detailing the results of the analysis, and individualized running cues, drills, and exercises for your individual running form.
This analysis provides our clients with an objective, visual representation of their running form allowing us to determine the root cause of injuries and inefficiencies!
If you are tired of continually dealing with a nagging pain/injury that you train through hoping it will go away or if you feel like you are stuck in a rut with your current training, then it’s time to give us a call!
We not only perform the 3D running form evaluations, but we are currently still accepting a limited amount of clients interested in individualized run coaching!
Reach out via the link below today to request a FREE phone consultation and learn about how our services can help you AWAKEN YOUR POTENTIAL!!!
Written By: Mackenzie Lowe and Dr. Gregory Lowe PT, DPT, cert. MDT, CSCS
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