This is taken off a presentation by the Ironman Triclinic of Australia showing the type of running styles typically used by the elite athletes. The one on the left, shows the right leg arcing upwards and at an angle which is like a trajectory, something which the fleet - footed gazelles you see on the National Geographic channel do all the time while running. The person on the left is 'flying' through the air most of the time and only a fraction of the time is spent on impacting the ground, before the next toe-off occurs.
While the African elite runners all employ this running style, it is frankly in my opinion, very energy sapping, and one has to have an extremely well conditioned body to try this style. On top of that, the motion of the toe-off leading to a liftoff from one leg and hitting the floor in a heel-strike is damaging in the long run to the heel, as well as causing faster wear and tear on the knee joints.
'Gliders' on the other hand just hover over the ground, and float or glide along in the direction of the run. Less energy is dispensed and the impact is normally reduced owing to the foot hitting the ground in the mid-foot. Its less nice to look at, but biomechanically it is more efficient to use this style to achieve the maximum results.
I tried both styles today during my run at the ECP. My running style ? See below, LOL !
Seize the Day.
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