Howdy Readers! Today is Monday and hopefully the beginning of a new tradition here at Eat.Run.Rehabilitate.! I hope to continue to upload and post videos weekly and sometimes even biweekly if I get overly ambitious. I have been trying to take some time and pre-record some videos so that way when I do have time to do some editing and posting it will allow me to be more caught up on everything.
Anyways, today's video is going to be about the Vertical Compression Test. This is another test that I learned from Jay Dicharry's Anatomy for Runners book. I've said it before and I'll say it again...not a bad book to have around for reference! This is a great way to go about assessing a person's overal posture on their postural stability and its effect on the entire kinetic chain. Check out my video below!
Sufficient hip extension is vital for proper running gait, form, posture and efficiency. Inhibited or restricted hip extension in running can result in:
Over-striding
Decreased running economy
Poor movement patterns
Potential risk for injury and/or compensation up and down the kinetic chain
The Gluteus Maximus is the primary hip extensor and the strongest muscle in the body. It is hypothesized that our massive glute max relative to other primates is due to an evolutionary adaptation. This allowed better bipedal locomotion and enhanced our running ability. Proper activation of the glute max and hip extension motion is needed for most primitive and basic movement patterns, especially skills requiring power. This is evident in many basic power skills such as:
Squatting/Deadlifting
Sprinting/Running
Throwing
Punching
Jumping
Bridging of the hips
Swinging an object like a club, baseball bat or golf club.
Limitations in hip extension or gluteus maximus activation can also affect static postures like standing by influencing pelvic tilt, motor control activation strategies, lumbar curve and ultimately the body's center of gravity. For more reasons on why "running is all in the hips", see James Dunne's great post, here.
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.
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Caution
All content on this blog is meant as instructional and educational. The author and guest authors of this blog are not responsible for any harm or injury that may result. Always consult a physician or another proper medical professional for medical advice.
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