SHAHEDNEWS: Improving your running form can help you run faster, more efficiently, and with less strain on your body, reducing the risk of injury. Follow the tips below to learn the correct running form and incorporate them into your runs.
According to SHAHEDNEWS, Improving your running form helps you run faster, more efficiently, and with less effort. It also reduces the stress on your body, decreasing the risk of injury. Correct running form lowers the risk of fatigue and leads to better results. Here are some tips to help you achieve this goal.
Your eyes should be focused about 3 to 6 meters ahead of you, not on your feet. Not only does this help with proper running form, but it also allows you to spot obstacles and avoid tripping. Is your head tilting forward while running? This can put unnecessary stress on your neck and shoulders, leading to tension. Keep your head in a neutral position with your ears directly above your shoulders.
Try to keep your arms at the level of your waist. Some beginners tend to lift their arms up and keep them near their chest. Make sure your arms are at a 90-degree angle to create proper running form. Keep in mind that holding your arms higher may cause you to feel fatigued more quickly.
While running, try to keep your arms as relaxed as possible. Avoid clenching your fists. Clenching your hands transfers tension to your arms, shoulders, and neck, and also wastes energy. A relaxed fist is ideal: imagine you're holding an egg in each hand while running, making sure not to break it. This helps maintain proper running form.
Your head should be up, and your back should be straight, aligned with your shoulders. Your shoulders should be under your ears. Make sure you are not leaning forward. Sometimes, when runners get tired, they tend to lean forward, which disrupts the proper running form. Maintaining correct form throughout helps prevent fatigue and ensures a strong finish.
Your shoulders should be relaxed and upright. Slouching your shoulders forward causes your chest to tighten, limiting your breathing. If your shoulders are relaxed, you can breathe better. Make sure not to lift your shoulders so high that they are near your ears. Allow your shoulders to drop naturally into place. Regularly check your shoulder position to ensure they remain relaxed. If they become tense, pull them down to maintain the correct running form.
Avoid swinging your arms inward toward your body. The movement of your arms should follow the direction of your motion. If your arms cross in front of your chest while running, it can restrict your breathing and may lead to abdominal muscle cramps. These changes in posture usually occur due to fatigue. Therefore, it’s important to maintain proper running form, especially when you're tired.
If you jump while running, your body and arms will move up and down, which expends a lot of energy. It also adds more shock to your legs, disrupting your proper running form and wasting energy. To minimize jumping and conserve energy, try to take shorter, quicker steps. Use short and light strides, as if you're walking on hot coals.