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This
sports scientist says to leave your form alone
Running is far from a choreographed dance,
so why are we so obsessed with perfecting every step?
If you’ve been overwhelmed by clips promising form
fixes for faster miles, it’s time to take a deep
breath, relax, and do what’s natural. Your body’s
intuition is smarter than you think, and one expert is
even asking: “To
Become a Better Runner, Should You Adjust Your Form?”
Dr. Bas Van Hooren warns that tweaks like adjusting stride
length or landing position don’t move the needle
much on performance, and they might even increase your
injury risk. Instead, focus on consistency – logging
regular miles lets your body self-optimize without the
mental gymnastics of analyzing every step. If you’re
prone to injuries, sports scientist Dr. Heather Vincent
says there’s one specific area to consider changing:
cadence. A faster step rate has the potential to reduce
stress on common trouble spots like knees, achilles tendons,
and shins. Generally, a cadence below 160 SPM is considered
low, so check your fitness tracker to see if you’re
in need of a changeup. For those still itching to improve
form without risking injury, strength training could be
your best bet. That’s why you should consider these:
“10
strength exercises to improve your running.” Moves
like squats and step-ups can build resilience in muscles
and tendons, helping you handle the repetitive impact
of running. They’ll also develop the strength needed
to hold proper form so that over time, it becomes what’s
natural for your body.
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