Sorting out biomechanics of running

[Freefall]

Having recently read the wonderful book Born to Run I took the opportunity of a trip to a deserted beach on Holy Island to run barefoot in the sand. I was surprised when I looked back at the line of footprints how the toes in my left foot dug into the sand and I left a scuffed impression. The right foot barely registered at times.

Heavy left foot

footprints in the sand.jpg (169.36 KiB) Viewed 4615 times

I know I am a bit too heavy but also have no cartilage in the left knee and suffered an achilles rupture on the same side in 2006. I assumed that my strong leg (the right) did most of the work and would push off more. This seems contrary to what you see. Where do you turn to as a M55 to analysis how you run and take steps to improve things (to excuse the pun). Orthotics in O shoes made me feel very unstable and liable to twist the other ankle!

[Dave]

You know that sand isn't uniform, right?

[andy]

Where do you turn to as a M55 to analysis how you run and take steps to improve things (to excuse the pun).

A physio? might be expensive though.

[Freefall]

The physios I have been to are all in a little room where you couldn't jog more than 3 paces - I am seeing a physio in any case to try and strengthen the quads on the left leg but the general advice seems to be don't do daft sports like orienteering on rough terrain.

[EddieH]

That looks lke a right foot print to me.

[Freefall]

Eddie - scroll along to see both footprints or I can shrink the picture! You saw how awkwardly I was running that time near Oban.

[greywolf]

Your stride appears to only be about 3 times the length of your foot: were you actually running? or do you have enormous feet?

[Freefall]

Big feet plus a short stride (sore hamstring at present)

[EddieH]

Oh it looks s though your left foot contins explosives

[Freefall]

Why do you think I was so surprised! It's like that all the time. I was just thinking what the 13 hours on the LAMM did to me.

[Kitch]

I'm not sure what is seen does contradict your comments about the various damage to your left leg.
I'd say the spray of sand from your left foot is consistent with a lack of flexion
I'd imagine a ruptured achiles would do that to you.

As for the right foot registering less,
if its doing the right thing bio mechanically that doesn't seem surprising.
Even if its doing all the work if its doing the right thing then it will spread evenly / recycle the impact force and make less impression
your left foot leg being more of a crutch fails to do these things and makes a big messy dent.
If you've read born to run then I think that makes it pretty clear that good biomechanics reduces impact

[oo_wrong_way]

I'm no expert but I do suffer from the same sort of issues as Freefall - including age class . I have found that doing lots of gentle hamstring stretches two or three times a day has improved my running style and decreased the incidence of achilles injuries. The other thing that works but is goddam painful is some vigorous massage of the achilles to break down the scar tissue: http://www.ehow.com/how_2211727_massage ... endon.html

[DeerTick]

I'm no expert either, but with forty five year's experience:

Stretching seems to make no difference, but keep doing it,

Ibuprofen seems to make a difference, so keep taking it,

Mix your surfaces and your shoes, but keep wearing them,

Foot massage may not work, but it feels good.

There are lots of achilles exercise regimes out there, but remember, once an achilles sufferer, always an achilles sufferer.

AP

[andypat]

A proper experienced podiatrist can do a biomechanical assessment which deals with everything from the knee down (from what I recall) especially where there's a difference between either leg. I cant find the details for the guy we used for work - he's probably retired by now - but worth checking out your local options. Expect to pay £50 or so - its an in depth assessment.

[kim]

The causes of the footprint you noted can be varied. Kitch was correct in saying it might be due to the achilles and tightness through the ankle joint causing you to rotate through the foot as you push off, it might also be due to a weakness through some of the muscles in the leg due to the injuries. Also altered biomechanics through the hip / pelvis can cause an altered gait. This is why stretches may be the solution for one person but of little use for the next.

What you need is a full video analysis of your running technique in conjunction with a physio screening to identify what the causative factors are (tightness through the muscles or tendons, joint stiffness, muscle weakness / altered activation).

A good physio would then be able to put together a program of stretches, strength work and running exercises to address the issues found through the running analysis and screening.

Kim Baxter (British orienteering physio)