When things don’t go right, we are quick to correct. I’m reading a book called 80/20 Running and there was a section about running form and technique. While it was agreed that certain things like specific running stride rate, stride length and foot strike have an optimal mark, forced correcting of these movements never optimized running economy.
In fact, when coaches force corrected running form in test running subjects, their running economy (oxygen consumption) actually worsened.
I was on a run with my 10 year old a few years ago. He was flopping is legs and arms around. He was completely out of control. I made some suggestions to him to improve his form and decrease the unneeded movements. While his form looked better, he actually looked very uncomfortable.
The book goes on to say that the best way to optimize technique and running economy is with experience. Simply put, just run more. Forced corrections backfire and actually drive down running economy, yet with regular runs, the brain optimizes the movement over time and the running economy improves. Forced corrections may not be the best thing for someone at that particular time based on their development. The brain/body has a plan and doesn’t do anything for no reason.
Reading this made so much sense to me. Our brains naturally optimize our movement for efficiency based on our current level of development. It’s like artificial intelligence that makes tiny self-corrections over time to optimize for any kind of performance.
We know that this works for running, but is it fair to assume this works for everything? The brain optimizes for learning, working, reading, making money, building relationships, being creative, etc?
Forced corrections will backfire. Natural repetition and time will deliver the most optimal performance for that individual (growth mindset 101). I know this to be true for behavior therapy and it was nice to see some scientific data to support it with this 80/20 Running book.
Moral of the story; get your reps in. Allow the body to self correct and everything will improve over time.
