1. The Biomechanics of Running
7/8 PE
Track and Field Unit
2nd Semester

2. What is Biomechanics?
Biomechanics refers to the way our muscles, bones, and joints work together as we move.

3. Running vs. Walking Running and walking gaits are not the same
Walking has a greater stride width
Running has a narrower stride width
Running has a greater step and stride length

4. Walking Gait

5. The Running Cycle There are three phases to the running cycle:
Stance—foot on ground
Swing—foot coming up or down
Float—not touching the ground

6. Running Gait

7. Foot Pronation and Supination
Pronation is when the heel strikes the ground and the foot rolls inward.
It is the normal motion of the foot when you walk or run.
Supination is the opposite motion of pronation. The foot supinates, or rolls on its outer edge, to help with stability as we walk or run.

8. Pronation and Supination
Picture of right foot:
Moving excessively inward
This is Overpronation
Runners with low arches tend
to overpronate
Picture of right foot
Moving excessively outward
This is Oversupination
Runners with high arches tend
to oversupinate

9. Foot Strike Distance running: Generally, heel-first, then toe push-off
Sprinting: Generally, on ball of foot, then toe push-off

10. Check your Form, Part One
Head up—look straight
ahead
Run tall—don’t slouch
Arms should be at a 90-degree angle
Hands should stay relaxed—cup your hands (thumb to forefinger)
(Pictured above is Kelsey Santisteban from CVHS)

11. Check your Form, Part Two
Swing your legs naturally—knees should not come above their natural swing
Do not overpronate
or oversupinate
your feet
Don’t overstride (don’t reach for the next stride)

12. Check your Form, Part Three
RELAX! Staying relaxed means keeping your face, hands, and arms loose while you run

13. What did you learn from this?
Please write something that you didn’t know before, on your handout:
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14. References
Bird, A. (2002). Biomechanics of Running. Retrieved from
American Running Association. (2010). Check your form: Running with correct biomechanics. Accessed from
What is biomechanics? Accessed from
Pourtauborde, A. (2010). What is pronation? Accessed from