What muscles do you use the most when running?

Question

Wanna know what to work on more. Thanks.

Answer 1

When running the only thing that matters is what happens at ground contact. The most important thing is support force so you don't collapse at ankle/knee at ground contact. Arm and shoulder strength have nothing to do with support force. Get stronger isometrically so you can support your body weight. Try the leg press lifting weight with both legs and holding with one leg, on ball of foot and knee almost straight. Hold as heavy weight as you can for 15-30 seconds. Do 3-5 reps a few times a week.

Answer 2

quads

calves

hamstrings

strengthen the muscles around your knees too

shoulder - deltoid

core muscles mucho important :D

have fun

Answer 3

Ummmm......legs - duh!

Answer 4

...

There's two sides to this question - what DO you use the most, and what SHOULD you use the most.

What you do use the most does vary.  Some run on their toes, straining their calf muscles (gastroc and soleus).  Some run leaning back, with much too much impact on their calf muscles, and overextending their hip flexors.

What you SHOULD use the most are glutes, quads, and hamstring.

You're running at your best when you are using the glutes (your big, medium, and small butt muscles) and the quads (the four muscles on the front of the upper leg).

What is often underutilized, and undertrained, is the hamstring - the muscles on the back of the upper leg.

Train the quads first, the glutes second, and train with exercises that mimic the running motion.  "Step ups" are good; a well-controlled "lunge" is great.  (Be sure to learn how to lunge properly - many do it improperly with the risk of injury to the tendons crossing the kneecap.)

But also attend to the hamstrings, again mimicing the running motion.  This you can do by bicycling or Spinning, using toe clips or cleats, and focusing on the upward, "backstroke" part of the pedaling cycle.

By doing so, you a) reduce the likelihood of injury to the quads and b) increase your leg turnover, which is essential to quick, rapid turnover.

Regards,

Phil

P.s., For a bit on turnover, just for fun, go to npr.org, search on Bernard Lagat.  He recently was interviewed by NPR, and also provided a video of himself running and discussing the #1 key to fast running.  Btw, he's a Kenyan expat and likely our best chance for a medal in Beijing.

Answer 5

Your question s not quite as silly as it appears of course you use your leg muscles but here is the twist if you are a sprinter you need a powerful upper body to drive you forward so although the leg muscles are always going to be important upper body muscles and core muscles to keep your body going in a straight line  you will need as a sprinter

Answer 6

ALL OF  YOU  LOWER  AND  UPPER  BODY  MUSCLES

Answer 7

Well when I ran.... I did sprints like the 100 and 200 meter dash! Umm.... when I ran I used ever muscle in my legs and my abs... also my muscle under my armpit from moving my arms back and forth.

Answer 8

You should be primarily using your glutes and hamstrings.  These are the largest muscles in the body and by recruiting the most muscle fibers you will tire less easily whether you are sprinting or running long distance.  

Secondarily, you will be using your quads as a "shock absorber" and for bringing your knee back into position when your foot has gone behind you the farthest.  In sprinting your foot would be near your glutes.  Your calves will be used a little bit too.  Also you will be using your abs and obliques to stabalize your upper body.  You are putting a lot of power into the ground when you run so your abs/obliques will prevent your upper body from turning.  That power is why we run contralateral (opp. arm and leg).  So arms are important too.

Good luck!

Answer 9

Calves, feet, shoulders and hamstrings and quads too:)