Kenyan running drills, what is the theory behind them?

I guess it improves running technique and amplitude of the movement.

The Kenyans are genetically surpreme; their success is not the result of any drills. There is no theory behind this or anything else they do.

clearly, but what is the basis of that? why is it better to do this than to just run with a coach watching correcting form

It also improves coordination.

I think that the effect comes from the fact that the body moves differently from usual running. Each drill is close to a phase of the actual running motion, but exaggerate it. This provides a neuromuscular stimulus, which lead to an adaption on the long term.

Are you really asking these questions? They are running drills to prepare the body to have a certain form and certain mechanics.

Running drills have been in existence for ages. It builds muscle memory, and it is dynamic movement, which is the correct way to warm up the body.

Running drills should be performed before every race, run or run workout. You should do them everyday.

I’ve been doing bounds, skips, high knees and butt kicks and kareokas since high school track but these Kenyan form drills are different. I started doing them this year and I totally get what they’re meant for and they’ve vastly improved my stride (along with a lot of plyometric and core strength work). Like others have said these are coordination drills to train timing and sequencing at each phase of your stride. They also train good force application and muscle firing for each stride phase (e.g. the high kick drill is really emphasizing the forward force being applied through the lead leg, the toe point and squish drill trains the sequence of forefoot landing and toe off of the trailing foot, etc...) I did these drills for just one month leading up to this years NYC marathon and I can tell you I really felt the difference in my stride from past marathons especially on later stage downhills and flats. I say if anyone is curious just try all the drills out in the video and try to get them perfectly (as close to what Timo Limo is doing) in form, rhythm and sequencing and then think about them as you run. You might start to notice a difference for the better.

Kenyans didn't invent these drills.

tldr

Were you faster?

ChuggsBunny wrote:

I've seen Brother Colm talking about "relationship with the ground" before, can anyone expand on that / give an alternative explanation

He means planting potatoes.

You can't spell potatoes without e p o.

Great use of the late Johnny Clegg's tune.

ChuggsBunny wrote:

I found this on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elIru-bqvlE&index=2&list=FLWmzMFTGpeLE98BJe7w0cMA

Does anyone know what these drills are meant to achieve? I've seen Brother Colm talking about "relationship with the ground" before, can anyone expand on that / give an alternative explanation

I'm surprised the "seniors" in this video aren't even breaking 4:20 in the 1500.

You can do that in the shallow portion of a swimming pool creating more resistance, much better IMO.

the best drill for improving form is barefoot running, just 1 mile 2-3 times week

Fefisa Sesisa wrote:

the best drill for improving form is barefoot running, just 1 mile 2-3 times week

Agreed. And add some strides to that after the run to get a feel for running fast in barefoot. Sets up brilliant mechanics and trains the foot muscles.

Legolas wrote:

Fefisa Sesisa wrote:

the best drill for improving form is barefoot running, just 1 mile 2-3 times week

Agreed. And add some strides to that after the run to get a feel for running fast in barefoot. Sets up brilliant mechanics and trains the foot muscles.

The barefoot clowns in my area have terrible form. Going barefoot guarantees nothing really.

Even at the top levels you can only run so many miles, so people do drills to feel like they are doing some non-running thing that will help them.

It's disheartening that people see stuff like this and give it any credibility, think there's some kind of well-thought out theory behind it. It's pretty much pure, inane mindlessness. These drills bear no resemblance to running and have no benefit.

ChuggsBunny wrote:

I found this on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elIru-bqvlE&index=2&list=FLWmzMFTGpeLE98BJe7w0cMA

Does anyone know what these drills are meant to achieve? I've seen Brother Colm talking about "relationship with the ground" before, can anyone expand on that / give an alternative explanation

Someone explained to me (and it seemed reasonable) that these drills mimic and exaggerate the normal running motion.

High knees, back kicks, etc all help you strengthen the muscles you use to run.

All I know is that I feel better when I use them than when I don't.