LONGECITY

Here is the story.

Evidently it burns more calories than running forwards, your balance increases, your hearing increases, and your peripheral vision increases. Of course I am sure you would get a lot of funny looks...

I wonder what are the health benefits/risks of posting numerous articles about health benefits/risks?

Essay!

I wonder what are the health benefits/risks of posting numerous articles about health benefits/risks?

Very possible







(Luckily I have only posted a couple I think)
Edited by Live Forever, 27 May 2006 - 05:12 AM.

I wonder what are the health benefits/risks of posting numerous articles about health benefits/risks?

Increased health, of course..

Incidentally, running backwards is pretty standard in training for various contact sports.

Running backwards stresses the tendons in a reverse fashion.

When you run fowards the primary contributor to the movement would be the quadriceps femoris with the hamstring acting to decelerate. I wonder if this is reversed when you run backwards i.e the hamstrings primary and the quadriceps acting to decelerate

Hmmm

I guess the most important thing here is variation. The next study/story will most likely look at the health benefits of running sideways or..........upways [lol]

From a purely athletic perspective, my quads are still worked more from running backwards than forwards.

All we have to go on about increasing hearing/periphery is the experience of one guy (a runner). Although, I could see reasons why it might. The balance and Calories thing I agree with.

Zoo, I would think that in running backwards, the quads would be used even more, since you have to kick forward with the knee joint to push backwards. The hamstring's job in running backwards would be to move the mass of your leg backwards while in the air.

Actually, running backwards would make the quads much like the calf muscles, in that when you run forwards, your calves are having to push your weight with each step.

I think we see how running backwards is done differently. In my mind I see someone running backwards with a very upward stance. Almost likely running on the spot and lifting your knees high except you are facing backwards and your moving forwards/backwards. Running backwards and propelling yourself forward would involve the style you mentioned where one kicks the leg under themselves in the direction that they are moving. This would involve a straightening of the leg and hence contraction of the quads.

In the first instance where running backwards is more like running on the spot whilst lifting your knees high, the primary movement is to lift one up and forward. This would involve contraction of the hamstrings.

Where are the biomechanists?

Also there are benefits for coordination, balance and peripheral vision.

Ninth reply:

Also there are benefits for coordination, balance and peripheral vision.

Really? Cool! Wait a minute...

First post:

Evidently it burns more calories than running forwards, your balance increases, your hearing increases, and your peripheral vision increases

[tung]

I don't know about any benefits from it, but running backwards does carry some risks, such as falling on your ass.

Yes, the increased balance, coordination and certainly the peripheral vision would come in handy I think.
Am I right in thinking there would be a softer impact running backwards? Doesn't this mean it is also better for the joints (esp. the knees)?

Doesn't this mean it is also better for the joints (esp. the knees)?

I have been toying with the idea of getting one of those "elliptical" machines because of the same reason (easier on the joints). Does anyone know if they provide as much benefit as running, just without the joint harshness?

I have been toying with the idea of getting one of those "elliptical" machines because of the same reason (easier on the joints). Does anyone know if they provide as much benefit as running, just without the joint harshness?

I don't know, but some people sure look goofy on them.

I don't know, but some people sure look goofy on them.

Haha [lol] . That is one of the prime reasons why I havent got one yet. I am hoping, though, if I only use it when others aren't around I might not be embarrassed too much.