Videos for Running Assessment, Correction and Form Drills.

I was perusing the internet today when I came across a couple of videos produced by Dr. Mark Cucuzzella. Dr. Cucuzzella is the director of the Natural Running Center, Professor of Family Medicine at West Virginia University and the owner of Two Rivers Treads in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Dr. Cucuzzella is a running guru that has been at the front of the natural running movement for many years now.  He also brought us this previously mentioned video that highlights the principles of natural running form.

Must see video for runners.

Many of the following videos feature assessments and corrections straight from Jay Dicharry’s Anatomy for Runners: Unlocking Your Athletic Potential for Health, Speed, and Injury Prevention. You can’t find a cheaper, more exhaustive, and more quality written book by a more qualified author anywhere. This book and the following videos mirror very closely with how I evaluate, treat, and rehabilitate runners in my own clinical practice. I can’t emphasize enough how beneficial getting this book and viewing these videos will be to helping your own running. On top of that, a lot of these concepts apply to many other sports and should be considered fundamentals for a lot of athletes. Just look at how many sports involve some form of running.
Assessment
Evaluate and assess your own body with this series of videos. These evaluation techniques are probably more applicable to you as a runner than any physical or evaluation that a general physician would put you through if they even attempt to do one at all. They might just skip to telling you to rest, take some NSAIDs or stop running altogether. If your doctor is like this you might want to find a different medical professional for your running injuries, however there are always exceptions.
Corrections
These are specific ways to go about addressing any issues or red flags raised in the “Assessment" videos. There are many ways to go about fixing these issues as there are many ways to skin a cat but it is a starting point.
Phase One Running Drills
Phase Two Running Drills

These two sets of videos are a great place to start working on developing your “natural running form” or better running form. If you have a lot of issues raised in the “Assessment” videos it may be ideal for you to utilize the “Corrections” videos first and then move on to the running drills. It would also be smart to take care of these issues before beginning a training program. These videos do not substitute for actual medical treatment and diagnoses but they are a starting point.

I highly recommend these videos and their contents. I have already picked out a few drills that I will start incorporating into my own training. It is a smart idea to devote 10-30 minutes to these drills after a run. Doing this is a great way to work on technique and as an efficient way to “cool down” after your runs. If you think that is ridiculous just think of the concept that all sports require drilling the fundaments. Running shouldn’t be different.

Categories: dr. Mark cucuzzella, gait analysis, good form running, Jay Dicharry, Natural running, natural running form, PFPS, plantar fasciitis, running form, running form drills, running injuries, running rehab