Running

Running is a method of terrestrial locomotion by which humans and other animals move quickly on foot. Running has an aerial phase in which both, or all, feet are above the ground at some stage (though there are exceptions). This is in contrast to walking, a slower form of movement where at least one foot is always in contact with the ground. The term "running" can refer to a variety of speeds ranging from jogging to sprinting. All forms involve the same basic stages of a main propulsion phase, where the person drives forward the hardest leading with one leg; a foot placement phase where they place their foot, absorb any impact and stabilise themselves- they regain their sense of balance and recover energy; they then start a new propulsion phase, this time with the other leg. This sequence continues and together forms a flow of actions which constitutes the runner's gait. Running has been described as the world's most accessible sport. In sports science, the analysis of running can involve the categoristation of a person's gait into numerous different phases and identify multiple involved factors. For example, from the viewpoint of spring-mass mechanics changes in kinetic and potential energy within a running stride co-occur, with energy storage accomplished by springy tendons and passive muscle elasticity. Running in humans is associated with improved health and life expectancy. Competitive running grew out of religious festivals in various areas. Records of competitive racing date back to the Tailteann Games in Ireland between 1171 BCE and 632 BCE, while the first recorded Olympic Games took place in 776 BCE. It is hypothesized that the ancestors of humankind developed the ability to run for long distances about 2.6 million years ago, probably to hunt animals.

History

It is thought that human running evolved at least four and a half million years ago out of the ability of the ape-like Australopithecus, an early ancestor of humans, to walk upright on two legs. Early humans most likely developed into endurance runners from the practice of persistence hunting of animals, the activity of following and chasing until a prey is too exhausted to flee, succumbing to "chase myopathy", and that human features such as the nuchal ligament, abundant sweat glands, the Achilles tendons, big knee joints and muscular glutei maximi, were changes caused by this type of activity. The theory as first proposed used comparative physiological evidence and the natural habits of animals when running, indicating the likelihood of this activity as a successful hunting method. Further evidence from observation of modern-day hunting practices also indicated this likelihood. Scientific investigation of the Nariokotome skeleton provided further evidence for the Carrier theory. Competitive running grew out of religious festivals in various areas such as Greece, Egypt, Asia, and the East African Rift in Africa. The Tailteann Games, an Irish sporting festival in honor of the goddess Tailtiu, dates back to 1829 BCE and is one of the earliest records of competitive running. The origins of the Olympics and Marathon running are shrouded by myth and legend, though the first recorded games took place in 776 BCE. Running in Ancient Greece can be traced back to these games of 776 BCE.

...I suspect that the sun, moon, earth, stars, and heaven, which are still the gods of many barbarians, were the only gods known to the aboriginal Hellenes. Seeing that they were always moving and running, from their running nature they were called gods or runners (Thus, Theontas)... The culture of running was not limited to men in Ancient Greece and is demonstrated by the mythical Atalanta. Her suitors were required to beat her in a race or forfeit their lives. As she was unbeatable, all failed except for Hippomenes who was aided by the goddess Venus (Aphrodite). He distracted Atalanta during the race by throwing golden apples, given to him by Venus, which she stooped to pick up. The details of the event illuminate the running technique which was considered effective in the contemporary culture. In Metamorphoses the Roman writer Ovid gives Venus's spoken account of the start of the race: The trumpet sounded the start: The pair, each crouching low, shot forward, skimming the sand with flying feet, so lightly they could run on waves and never wet their sandals, they could run on fields of grain and never bend them. He heard them cheering: Go Hippomenes, lean to the work, use all your strength: go, go, you are sure to win! Such involvement of women in running found concrete representation in the Heraean Games. These were a series of events which took place immediately before the Ancient Olympic Games and which only women could compete in. Writing in the early 20th Century, the historian E. Norman Gardinier states: At the festival there were races for maidens of various ages. Their course was 500 feet, or one-sixth less than the men's stadium. The maidens ran with their hair down their backs, a short tunic reaching just below the knee, and their right shoulder bare to the breast. The victors received crowns of olive and a share of the heifer sacrificed to Hera. They had, too, the right of setting up their statues in the Heraeum.

Description

Running gait can be divided into two phases regarding the lower extremity: stance and swing. These can be further divided into absorption, propulsion, initial swing, and terminal swing. Due to the continuous nature of running gait, no certain point is assumed to be the beginning. However, for simplicity, it will be assumed that footstrike and shock absorption mark the beginning of the running cycle in a body already in motion. Whilst the phases are distinct in their own right, it can be difficult to ascertain where one ends and another begins. It is commonly considered that there is an amount of overlap between some phases and that they occur concurrently, with their identification often being based on an emphasis of focus rather than an exclusivity of occurrence.

… excerpt ends here. Continue reading the full article.