Peak forces throughout working might be surprisingly excessive! The calf, quads, glutes and hamstrings all handle excessive peak masses throughout working which is why they’re arguably the 4 most essential muscle teams in runners:
Quads and Glute Med play a key function in load absorption alongside the calf which can be the primary contributor to propulsion. Peak load for the hamstrings is on the finish of the swing part once they work eccentrically to gradual the leg down previous to foot contact.
You’ll be able to see why I are inclined to assess energy in these 4 muscle teams within the majority of injured runners I see in clinic. They’re usually a precedence above different muscle tissues which usually handle smaller masses at endurance speeds (such because the hip flexors). That stated, there may be usually worth is testing different muscle teams in case you really feel they might be related for ache, pathology or efficiency.
Once we have a look at working harm, for instance Achilles tendinopathy, we are able to see proof of impairments in these key muscle tissues. The graphic beneath relies on our free Achilles video sequence the place we information you thru methods to check the quads, calf, glutes and hamstrings. We additionally cowl methods to cut back ache, develop an efficient rehab programme and efficiently information sufferers again to working. Click on right here to entry this nice 3 half sequence.