HEAD POSITION IN RUNNING
The head position is a crucial point in making the muscular
system of the whole body engaged in a specific way, which
could be more or less efficient and balanced depending on
the head position orientation. Therefore, as a consequence,
the movement of the body could be more or less balanced and
efficient, as well.
The base for this influence lies in the anatomical and physiological
structure of the head. With such organs as vestibular apparatus
in the ears and cerebellum, directly defining and regulating
the body's position in space, the head has an exceptional
influence on any movement. This regulation is accomplished
by and through muscular work. First of all, through the neck's
muscles, which are providing balance of the head, and extending
their influence on the rest of the muscular system of the
body.
The importance of this regulation for movement comes from
very simple things. One of them is the relation of the body
with support. What we call a balanced position of the body
is the body position on support. It is a fundamental characteristic
playing an undeniably important role in movement. Muscle work
happens in the most efficient way when the body weight is
on support.
The head position is directly involved in this regulation
and therefore defines all the muscular connections and movement
of the body. When the head deviates from a proper position
(tilts left or right, back or forward) then muscles engage
in a wrong coordination and the body shifts from the support.
It means that the body movement deteriorates as well.
These seemingly obvious relations are nevertheless violated
very often because of a blurry perception of the head position
stemming from general unawareness of the body, wrong understanding
of the head position relatively to the body and to the movement,
weakness of the neck muscles, etc.
Besides this, a big influence on the head and body position
is exercised by our eyes, or to be more exact, by how far
ahead we are supposed to look. Is it 5, 10 or more meters
ahead or all the way to the horizon? What is the optimal length
of our eyes' focus? Opinions on this matter vary a lot, with
many different suggestions based on different "concepts",
but all of them have only anecdotal and very weak theoretical
base.
Well, then the question is what should we consider to be
a proper approach to this problem?
I guess it will be no surprise, if we say that the head position
should be along the straight line going through the shoulder,
hip and ball of the foot, providing for the body minimum muscular
tension (just enough to keep the body at this position) perception
of a stable balance and the pressure being on the ball of
the foot.
This position is reminding us of the walking position of
some tribal African women carrying weights on their heads.
This walking style is distinguished by smooth movement with
low vertical oscillations of the body, allowing them to carry
heavy objects for long distances. These women seem to carry
themselves with outstanding posture and their movement looks
very elegant.
The look of the eyes making your head position efficient
isn't related with any fixation on anything or any distance
ahead. In martial arts this look is called: "you look,
but do not see anything". You should be ready to perceive
information, but be not fixed on it. It allows you to keep
the body position and muscular system in a ready condition.
These are small rules for the head position in movement and
running that provide the base for an efficient movement.
Dr. Romanov
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