April 2011

[glaconman]

Cheers Sweder. I seem to be managing this injury and getting out more regularly now. And having had 11 days off work the odd pint has been consumed.

I agree, it's a puzzle we can only solve by ourselves to some extent; and we must all have the final word regarding what works.

My understanding is there are two ways to re-engage glutes: make them stronger independently through excercises like squats and lunges; and consciously engage them when walking and running.

There's a viscous circle at play though as your brain will oft recruit the strongest muscles rather than just the most apt for the job. Hence quads getting stronger but not glutes.

I read the following that highlights glute engagement: Walk with trainers on, your body straight and your knees locked. Push your fingers into your buttocks and you'll feel how soft and underused they are. Then walk over gravel with barefeet (or simulate this even) and you can feel them tightening and engaging. So this points to how barefoot running can reverse the modern trend of being highly shod and improve your muscle recruitment.

The same thing has happened over the years with core stability strength vs. motion strength. As we've stopped working in fields and then factories and tend towards desk work our bodies have had to adapt. But all the stability and motion work is being done by the same muscles now: those that should just be used for motion. So we have to design excercise routines to develop core strength again. I see this when I go on my inlaw's farm. People spend the whole day lifting, washing, carrying etc. Stuff that requires alot of core strength and stability.

So my conclusion would be: get your core strength up; let your legs do the running. Run different speeds, different terrains and in the appropriate footwear. Which would deffo include some barefoot on grass and the like.

Good luck getting back in the saddle this Summer.