Biomechanics Of Distance Running

Biomechanics of Distance Running is exclusively devoted to the scientific study of distance running mechanics. This volume should be an essential reference for sport biomechanists, exercise scientists, and elite track coaches.

The popularity of distance running as a sport, and a recreational activity, is at an all-time high. Motivated by the desire to achieve a personal best, remain healthy, or simply complete an event, distance runners of all ages and abilities actively seek out advice from experienced coaches and sport scientists. This is also reflected in the growth of programmes of education for young coaches and aspiring sport scientists in recent years. There are a multitude of different approaches to training distance runners; however, the basic principles and ingredients required for success are applicable to any distance runner. The science that underpins the training and physical preparation of distance runners has developed considerably in recent years. The most experienced and successful coaches in the distance running community rarely have the opportunity to share their tried and tested methods of training. Similarly, the novel work of sport scientists is often only accessible to elite runners, their support teams and academia. The Science and Practice of Middle and Long Distance Running links together the science and coaching artistry associated with preparing distance runners for events ranging from 800 m up to ultra-marathon distances. It combines the latest scientific evidence, published by world-leading sport scientists, with the sound training principles and strategies adopted by experienced coaches. The book translates cutting-edge scientific research from the fields of physiology, biomechanics, psychology and nutrition into practical suggestions for achieving success. Important topical issues and contemporary practices related to health and performance are also addressed. This book is an essential addition to the library of any distance runner, coach or sport scientist.

Reviews of The Science of Running:"The Science of Running sets the new standard for training theory and physiological data. Every veteran and beginner distance coach needs to have this on their book shelf."-Alan WebbAmerican Record Holder-Mile 3:46.91 "For anyone serious about running, The Science of Running offers the latest information and research for optimizing not only your understanding of training but also your performance. If you want to delve deeper into the world of running and training, this book is for you. You will never look at running the same."-Jackie Areson, 15th at the 2013 World Championships in the 5k. 15:12 5,000m best If you are looking for how to finish your first 5k, this book isn't for you. The Science of Running is written for those of us looking to maximize our performance, get as close to our limits as possible, and more than anything find out how good we can be, or how good our athletes can be. In The Science of Running, elite coach and exercise physiologist Steve Magness integrates the latest research with the training processes of the world's best runners, to deliver an in depth look at how to maximize your performance. It is a unique book that conquers both the scientific and practical points of running in two different sections. The first is aimed at identifying what limits running performance from a scientific standpoint. You will take a tour through the inside of the body, learning what causes fatigue, how we produce energy to run, and how the brain functions to hold you back from super-human performance. In section two, we turn to the practical application of this information and focus on the process of training to achieve your goals. You will learn how to develop training plans and to look at training in a completely different way. The Science of Running does not hold back information and is sure to challenge you to become a better athlete, coach, or exercise scientist in covering such topics as:· What is fatigue? The latest research on looking at fatigue from a brain centered view.· Why VO2max is the most overrated and misunderstood concept in both the lab and on the track· Why "zone" training leads to suboptimal performance.· How to properly individualize training for your own unique physiology.· How to look at the training process in a unique way in terms of stimulus and adaptation.· Full sample training programs from 800m to the marathon.

{U2022} Coverage features the most up-to-date information available.

The book contains recent research about physiology, psychology, nutrition and training aspects of Marathon Running of different age, gender and performance level. The basic knowledge of marathon running with explanations of the physiological and psychological mechanisms induced by marathon training with the associated adaptations and subsequent improved physiological capacities are presented in a reader friendly format for researchers and practitioners. The book includes a full range of useful practical knowledge, as well as trainings principles to guide the reader to run marathon faster. After reading the book the reader is able to develop training plans and owns the knowledge about up-to-date scientific results in the fields of physiology, psychology, nutrition in marathon running.

Running barefoot isn't as natural as we're led to believe. Recent studies have shown that up to 85% of runners get injured every year, how natural is that? The most important question that running "barefoot" or "naturally" doesn't address is how we should run. Repetitive ground impact forces are at the root of most running injuries. A 30 minute jog can log more than 5,000 foot strikes; its because of this volume of movement that efficient

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if higher caliber collegiate distance runners (n=22) run at a higher step frequency at various speeds compared to those of lesser caliber. Method: Subjects ran at four speeds for 2-minute bouts. Females ran at 7.6 mile per hour (mph), 8.9mph, 10.3mph, and 85% of 5k personal record (PR) and the males ran at 8.9 mph, 10.3 mph, 11 mph, and 85% of 5k PR. During the last minute of each bout of running step frequency was measured using video recording. Results: Females and males had an average 5k PR of 19:08+/-51.6 seconds and 16:31+/-36.9 seconds, respectively. Caliber of runner (5k PR) was moderately correlated to step frequency at 8.9 and 10.3 mph (r=.63 and r=.59 respectively) when both genders were grouped together. For males there was a moderate correlation between caliber of runner and step frequency across all speeds (r≥0.50). For females there was no significant correlation at any speed. At all common speeds the males ran at a significantly lower step frequency compared to the females (p=.05). At speed of 8.9 mph, 10.3 mph, and 85% of 5k PR the males and females ran at significantly different step frequencies (p≤.05). There was a moderate negative correlation between step frequency and leg length at 8.9 mph (r=-0.71), and a strong correlation at 10.3 mph (r=-0.81), 11mph (r=-0.77), and 85% 5k PR (r=-0.66). Discussion: The data suggest that there is a negative relationship between caliber of distance runner and step frequency in males; suggesting that the better the runner the less steps they take over the various training speeds. Also, males take longer steps compared to females and this could possibly be due to the males having longer legs.

"The popularity of distance running as a sport, and a recreational activity, is at an all-time high. Motivated by the desire to achieve a personal best, remain healthy, or simply complete an event, distance runners of all ages and abilities actively seek out advice from experienced coaches and sport scientists. This is reflected in the growth in the provision of programmes of education for young coaches and aspiring sport scientists in recent years. There are a multitude of different approaches to training distance runners, however the basic principles and ingredients required for success are applicable to any distance runner. The science that underpins the training and physical preparation of distance runners has developed considerably in recent years. The most experienced and successful coaches in the distance running community rarely have the opportunity to share their tried and tested methods of training. Similarly, the novel work of sport scientists is often only accessible to elite runners, their support teams and academia. The Science and Practice of Middle and Long Distance Running links together the science and coaching artistry associated with preparing distance runners for events ranging from 800 m up to ultra-marathon distances. It combines the latest scientific evidence, published by world-leading sports scientists, with the sound training principles and strategies adopted by experienced coaches. The book translates cutting edge scientific research from the fields of physiology, biomechanics, psychology and nutrition into practical suggestions for achieving success. Important topical issues and contemporary practices related to health and performance are also addressed. This book is an essential addition to the library of any distance runner, coach or sport scientist"--