How to tell if you're overstriding (Read 1477 times)

I fail to see how this works properly.  Too many factors, and you are modifying a critical element, namely the surface being run upon.  I don't think you can accurately assess stride mechanics based on which direction you fall if you slip on the ice while running.  If so, then I run with my right leg pushing towards me left side.  Or maybe it's because I was going around a corner.  No, it has to be my stride.

Agreed that you can't assess the complete stride mechanics picture.

But the direction of a slide does indeed tell you which direction the shear forces are going at that point in time. 

I know for a fact that I can run on a flat surface with very low friction and never slide forward, unless I'm deliberately decellerating.  Forward sliding (on a flat surface) can only happen if you're decelerating.  So if you're sliding forward while trying to run steadily, you're doing unnecessary decelleration.  Call it overstriding or not, but it's clearly not efficient.

If the back of your heel on your lead foot, the top of your toes on your hind foot, and your perineum are all touching the ground at the same time, you're definitely overstriding.

Heel and top of my toes? I don't think I could do this if I tried. Hmm, maybe I should look up "perineum" first. Forgot what that thing is.

 

Agreed that you can't assess the complete stride mechanics picture.

 

But the direction of a slide does indeed tell you which direction the shear forces are going at that point in time. 

 

I know for a fact that I can run on a flat surface with very low friction and never slide forward, unless I'm deliberately decellerating.  Forward sliding (on a flat surface) can only happen if you're decelerating.  So if you're sliding forward while trying to run steadily, you're doing unnecessary decelleration.  Call it overstriding or not, but it's clearly not efficient.

So we've determined that slipping forward usually results from attempting to decelerate. 

Is anyone here slipping forward with every single step?  And what do we even mean by "slipping forward"?  Does it mean you fall in front of you, or does it mean your legs go forward, and you fall backwards?  Because I would think the former probably indicates a forward lean, and the latter represents a more backwards lean.

 

I picture it being more like a split - the landing leg slips forward on the ice and any falling that was done would be more or less straight down.  That said, any slipping I would be talking about wouldn't result in falling, just instability. 

OK, well, if you are an overstrider, this would have to occur on pretty much every step, yes?

Is this happening to anyone?

 

So we've determined that slipping forward usually results from attempting to decelerate. 

 

Is anyone here slipping forward with every single step?  And what do we even mean by "slipping forward"? 

Slipping forward is when your foot slides forward from the point of contact with the ground.

As to your question about slipping forward with every step, this is not likely to happen on dry pavement because the traction is too good. Instead of slipping, your leg would absorb the braking forces.

That was the whole point of this post -- remove the traction (by stepping on a patch of ice) and overstriding may become apparent.

7/10

 

A strong attempt. Lots of genuine responses. (The genius is in the combination of two irresistible topics, the weather and stride mechanics.)

 just cant stay away