How Prolonged Sitting Affects Hip Extension and Running Performance: Insights from the Running Logic Programme
In our modern world, prolonged sitting has become the norm, whether we’re at our desks, commuting, or relaxing at home. But sitting for extended periods of time can have a significant affect on our body’s mechanics, particularly affecting our hip movement and extension which are essential for your running success.
When we spend a long time sitting, overtime our muscles being to adapt. Our quadriceps and hip flexors, the muscles at the front of our thighs and hips, tend to shorten and tighten. On-the-other-hand, our glutes and hamstrings, the muscles at the back of our hips and thighs, become elongated and inefficient.
And this is a nightmare for your running form. We begin to see a restriction in the range of motion in our hips which has a huge impact on each stride. With limited hip movement, you cannot engage in proper hip extension. Hip extension is when you move your leg backward from a bent position to a straight position. For example, when you kick your leg behind you as you take each stride. When you lose range of motion in your hips, it prevents the leg being able to move backward adequately. It also means that the heel doesn’t lift high enough off the ground. From this you will lose power in each step and cannot drive yourself forward.
In today’s video, Clinical Director Mr Paul Goss, analyses the running patterns of one of our clients with this exact issue. Through our Running Technique Programme, we’ve developed a method to refine running techniques and enhance performance. Paul breaks down how these biomechanical challenges affected the client’s form and demonstrates the remarkable improvements our programme has achieved, transforming her into a more efficient runner.
To see the dramatic before-and-after results, click the link below!