( OH COOL !)
HOW POSTURE CAN
IMPROVE YOUR
ALEXA TOWERSEY
RUNNING
IsoWhey Sports athlete , Alexa Towersey explains why posture can improve your technique and , in turn , your performance .
osture is the way that the body
P holds our muscles and skeleton
upright .
Your running stride and posture contributes to your overall running technique , so it is important to take it seriously when training for a long distance running event .
If you have a big race in sight , it is important that you correct your body ’ s alignment , in order to reduce the stress that is being placed on your ligaments , tendons and muscles ; this will help you avoid any discomfort or injury .
IsoWhey Sports athlete , Alexa Towersey explains why posture can in fact improve your technique and in turn your performance .
Why good posture is important
To achieve better results in running , particularly over long distances , you need to go right back to the basics .
Posture should be your starting point and the basis of skill progression . This means , if you present bad posture then all technique and future development will be of a poorer standard , ultimately leaving you worse off than when you started .
Running tall , while looking ahead and slightly up , will increase lung capacity , leading to increased endurance and a strong running stride .
You ’ ll notice that runners who have good posture are more efficient in the way they move , enabling them to run at a faster and more comfortable pace , and for a longer period of time .
Strength training improves posture
When you think of running , training the upper body isn ’ t always at the forefront of one ’ s mind .
Strength training is an often underestimated and underutilised aspect of a running program , but it can improve your posture and breathing ( your posture dictates the efficiency of your breathing ).
So , if you ’ re known to slouch with a rounded-shoulder posture , then chances are you will be compressing your diaphragm while running . This is inefficient because it causes you to tire more quickly .
For starters , straighten your back to relay the natural curvature of the spine and add corrective movements to maintain a strong upper body while running .
Exercises such as external rotations , lower trapezius raises , bent over lateral flys , and planks ( straight arm and side ) will exert to pull the shoulders back , to open up the chest for more effective breathing .
Core strengthening improves posture
Core strength is vital in counteracting the rotational force of running and for maintaining during longer running races .
One of the common misconceptions people make when referring to training their ‘ core ’, is realising that it ’ s is not just abdominal training but also training the muscles of the hips and lower back .
Activate your core muscles as much as possible , by incorporating exercises such as Russian twists and plank-based movements , placing emphasis on keeping the spine in a neutral position while the arms and legs are moving . These movements will improve your stability and balance , which are two integral factors when it comes to running . Without stability and balance you can experience unwanted neck and back pain . A weak core will also encourage poor posture and interdependently hinder breathing efficiency during running .
( OH ! MAGAZINE ) JUNE 2016 23