People take it too far and say they're "turned off" which isn't possible, but they can definitely be weak. And that lack of strength can leave an athlete with a weak stride
That's exactly what I was talking about. Their form may be less efficient and they would benefit from adjusting that to be less out front and more upright center of gravity, but they ARE using their glutes.
It's like telling someone that is running their reps too fast that they are using their heart too much and they need to use their lungs more.
Lots of runners have form that relies too much on the quads and not enough on the glutes, but "glute activation" isn't usually the solution, at least not in isolation.
The problem is a lack of hip mobility caused by lots of sitting. As a result, the only way you can swing your leg through a long enough arc for faster running is by adopting an arched back/anterior pelvic tilt. If you increase your hip mobility, then you can have a more neutral spine and start using your glutes more. If you try to run with a neutral spine and pelvis without sufficient hip mobility, you'll feel like you have to stutter step.
Lots of runners have form that relies too much on the quads and not enough on the glutes, but "glute activation" isn't usually the solution, at least not in isolation.
The problem is a lack of hip mobility caused by lots of sitting. As a result, the only way you can swing your leg through a long enough arc for faster running is by adopting an arched back/anterior pelvic tilt. If you increase your hip mobility, then you can have a more neutral spine and start using your glutes more. If you try to run with a neutral spine and pelvis without sufficient hip mobility, you'll feel like you have to stutter step.
great post as always. What are some hip mobility exercises you would recommend? I've once pulled my hamstring (seemingly it was proximal hamstring tendinopathy), and since then my form has gone out of whack. My posterior chain is just so weak despite all the "glute activation" stuff I've done.
This post was edited 4 minutes after it was posted.
If it is a "right to work state" you can just call them into your office and fire them. You may have to pay more in unemployment. Check your state laws because they could be part of a union, in which case it is harder to crack them but on the hole, you can usually get rid of them or at least decrease their size.
great post as always. What are some hip mobility exercises you would recommend? I've once pulled my hamstring (seemingly it was proximal hamstring tendinopathy), and since then my form has gone out of whack. My posterior chain is just so weak despite all the "glute activation" stuff I've done.
I find it unpleasant because you really have to actively press forward the whole time. Also you have to keep a neutral spine. You can add a resistance band, which helps.
I usually do a standing stretch where I press into the wall with one leg behind me. Usually you need to elevate your heel with a board or something, otherwise the calf gets most of the stretch. I’m not an expert on this, though, and I’ve never been great about doing my exercises.
There are pretty straightforward diagnostics you can do with a partner to assess hip mobility. If you have enough (15 degrees behind your torso), no need to stretch.
here's my take on run form and optimization. if you look at the hip extension in the elite runners ( who tend to do stretching, foam rolling, rope stretching) compared with the middle school runner who is getting what's called strain counterstrain and helix biomechanics manual therapy you can see a difference. You can "fire the glutes" but if the range of motion is limited in hip extension and as a result full knee extension at toe off you're not getting the full use of the spine/pelvis/hip/leg . would love to hear what you see and think. blogpost and video showing this.