Running from glutes or quads

good question. i wonder if it's more about form ?

i'd be interested to hear some official response, all i know is that when i run i primarily feel it in my hams and glutes but that might also be because i was trained as a sprinter and was taught to make sure most of the energy from my pushoffs came from the posterior chain since that results in a more powerful stride and quicker pace.

Hmmmm, trying to visualize this anatomically. My guess would be that this has something to do with whether you are using a heel strike and pushing through (would use more quad) vs. a midfoot/toe strike (uses more calf for the push off and glute for the leg rotation). If this is what they are talking about I would say that yes, the heel strike does tend to lead to higher risk of injury (speaking from personal experience on that one) because you are usually also getting a much more jarring impact when you come down on the heel.

NOT on expert, but I have enough functional morphology to at least *sound* like I know what I'm talking about :glasses:

I think I used to run from my quads, until I was coached to run more 'forward' and focus on a mid-foot strike. When I start getting tired, I have to really focus on my form, because it doesn't come naturally to me. I was told that the more power you can get from your calves, the better, as they are the most efficient muscle group, using the least amount of oxygen.

i was curious, googled and found this
http://powerofrun.wordpress.com/2013/11/21/work-that-booty-activate-your-glutes-for-strong-running-form/

The glutes can generate a lot of force to extend your hips. Instead of reaching out in front of the body, use the stronger muscles on your back side to propel yourself forward. Run from the glutes, not from the quads. Many of us are quad-dominant and allow our quads to take over when our glutes should be doing the work.

not sure what that means but sounds like running from glutes you are more plyometrically launching yourself forward rather than hopping up and down?

Hmm. When I purposely lengthen my stride during speed work, I use my bootie to do it. So I guess I'm doing it right! :drinker:

I feel like when I am running quicker I am using my gluteus but when I am just plodding along or getting tired I don't feel the effort in my glutes I feel it I'm my hammies and sometimes inner thigh

From what I've read a lot of people have lazy inactive/underactive glutes, so this makes sense to me.

I'm sure the answer is here somewhere but I don't have time to find it

http://bretcontreras.com/

I believe some run using one group of those muscles more than others.

But to define who uses which muscle by weekend runners versus those who run all week long is ridiculous and has nothing to do with it.

Hmmm...I think I run from my quads. Will pay more attention to it on my run tonight. But I know my glutes get frequent workouts, too. Every time I do CPR (real world, or like tonight where I am teaching a class) My "CPR Muscle" gets a GREAT burn. I feel it in my glutes and hip flexors for a couple days. (and unfortunately, I do CPR quite frequently in my job...on a near-daily basis.)

I believe some run using one group of those muscles more than others.

But to define who uses which muscle by weekend runners versus those who run all week long is ridiculous and has nothing to do with it.

i think the point is that quad runners tend to get more injuries than glute runners

if that's the case, then yeah, weekend runner is probably going to be a good approximation of a quad runner because they aren't doing enough running (yet) to realize their form is off.

running is a bit like weight lifting in that someone can get away with bad form if they are low intensity/low volume. but once you increase speed/volume/weight then that's when bad form is going to be more noticeable and more harmful

I believe some run using one group of those muscles more than others.

But to define who uses which muscle by weekend runners versus those who run all week long is ridiculous and has nothing to do with it.

+1

Keeping your feet closer to the ground as you stride increases efficiency. You use your quads to lift and reach out. The higher you lift and the further you reach the less efficient you are because you are using a motion that does not move you forward. If you look at efficient running as almost a shuffle, you will have some idea of the major muscle groups involved in pushing your forward: calves and buttocks. A shorter stride also means having your foot strike almost directly beneath you, which softens the impact on your heel. Persistent heel striking can (but need not) lead to shin splints. The advantage for tall runners is that this motion covers more ground per stride than for us short runners.

The downside to this gait is increased attention to stumbling dangers. Running upright, or slightly forward and keeping eyes at the horizon increases this stumbling danger. Running in the woods can get downright dangerous if you run this way!

My personal advice: just run!

It's pretty accepted that women in general, due to anatomy, are more quad dominant.