The importance of strength training for runners - Strength exercises for endurance athletes

People that like to run often don’t focus on strength training. Runners often don’t want to bulk up, gain weight and think they may decrease their flexibility by strength training so they avoid strengthening thinking that it will derail their performance.  This is unfortunate, as strengthening can in fact improve running performance. 

More: Strength training for runners: Exercises you can do to become a better runner

The goals of resistance training for runners may not be to add muscle mass and muscle bulk but could be to improve muscular strength, improve muscular endurance, maintain current muscle mass, pre-habilitation to decrease risk of injury and post-rehabilitation when an injury occurs.  Injuries can occur in any sport.  Runners commonly suffer from a variety of injuries which can include but are not limited to Achilles tendonitis, low back pain, calf strain, hamstring strains/injuries, iliotibial band (ITB) syndrome, shin splints, plantar fasciitis, groin pull and a variety of other conditions.  A good strengthening program can help to decrease the risk of injury or the severity of the injury that can occur. 

Strength training can help to improve coordination which helps to improve efficiency of movement.  Running economy has been said to improve with strength training as well. Running economy is defined as the ability to consume oxygen at a steady state. Poor running economy can occur when fatigue sets in and form deteriorates.  Running form is not only how strong your legs are or how your legs move but it also involves your core/abdominal muscles and your upper body strength.  If you don’t have good posture while you are running, then your form will suffer and this will cause an increase in energy expenditure needed for the run which will in turn cause fatigue to set in sooner. Strength training can help to improve the longevity of continuous movement which occurs in running.  

Running involves multi-joint actions and involves multiple muscles to work to maintain control and balance.  Resistance training can help improve control, coordination and stability which can improve the quality of running.  Strengthening can help to increase push off, increase the ability to resist eccentric forces during heel strike and improve core stability which can improve running posture.  

Related: 8 Week Maintenance/Cross Training Program - Many marathon runners have used this program to improve their performance. This program has workouts scheduled 3 days a week to allow for endurance training workouts.

Strength training can improve running mechanics.  The more efficient the system works, the better runner someone can become.  Strength training can make the body work more efficiently which can in turn allow a runner to train longer and run faster reaching the results they are looking for. Increased muscle mass also helps to burn calories faster which can make your workout more efficient in the sense that you don’t have to run as long to get the results you are looking for.  

Strength training is important for many reasons and should be incorporated into runners’ work-out regimens. It should generally be performed on days that running is not performed, making sure to save at least 1-2 days a week for rest & healing.

What exercises should endurance runners do to improve performance?
There are a variety of exercises that can be performed to enhance strength that will specifically improve running economy.  In order to improve strength of the quadriceps and hip musculature and improve balance, split squats and lunges should be performed. Leg curls standing or with a Swiss ball lying down can help to improve strength and stability in the glutes, hamstrings and low back.  Bench press can help to improve pectoralis and triceps strength which can enhance running form. Dumbbell Squats with press can help to improve overall body strength and power.  Core exercises should be performed in order to improve abdominal and core strength. Core exercises can consist of a plank exercise or a side plank with knee pull.  A standing single leg row with 1 arm and 1 leg can help to develop upper-back strength and improve hip stability and will focus on improving strength of the Latissimus dorsi, trapezius and deltoids. Other exercises that are used to strengthen muscles that will enhance running include standing single leg heel raise to improve gastrocnemius strength and backward heel walking to improve balance and anterior tibialis strength.  Jumping and hopping and agility type activities can also improve power and explosiveness for running. 

Example workouts to mix in with your endurance training

• Total Body Strength Workout for People who get Bored Easily - Total Body Burnout
• 23 Minute Active Static Abs Workout - Abs Burnout Routine
• At Home Butt and Thigh Workout - Booty Sculpting Lower Body Strength Training
• Upper Body Strength Workout - Guaranteed Muscle Burnout

If you are a runner, you may want to re-think the myths that strength training will bulk you up and slow you down, since in-fact strength training can improve your running efficiency and economy. 

Written by L. Augustyn, Physical Therapist

References
http://www.active.com/running/articles/10-running-specific-strength-training-exercises
http://www.furman.edu/sites/first/Documents/16_oct2324.pdf

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