Learn the dangers of an uneven running gait!
An Uneven Gait
Often times it is a signal that something more significant has gone wrong up the chain.
How can you determine an uneven gait without a professional?
Easy, just take off the headphones and listen. One foot will hit louder than the other. The more significant the sound difference, the bigger the problem. If you are having trouble hearing your feet because of outside noise, try running on a treadmill. What does the louder foot mean? The louder foot generally signifies a muscle weakness in the opposite hip. The most common area for this weakness in runners is the gluteus medius. To find this muscle, just place your hands on your hips, then drop your thumb down a little lower.
How do you fix the problem?
- Start strength training.
- Focus on single leg activities, you should be able to tell immediately which leg is weaker. During your single leg exercises watch for alignment of your hip and knee. Signs of weakness during a single leg squat test include: o Hips not staying level, the weak hip allows the opposite side to drop. o Knee on the weak side will want to cave in when squatting on that leg.
- My 2 favorite single leg exercises include a single leg squat and single leg bridge. They are simple and easy to do anywhere.
How will fixing your gait help your running?
- You will become a faster, more efficient runner.
- You will prevent injuries, such as IT band syndrome, hip bursitis and piriformis syndrome, which will allow you to train harder without interruptions.
For more information on hip strengthening click here.
