Running is accomplished as a series of strides, alternating between the two legs. The lower body motion in running can be more or less divided into three stages: support, drive, and recovery. Support and drive take place when the foot is in touch with the ground while the recovery happens when the foot is off the ground. Read on to know in detail on lower body movement in running.
During the support phase of the lower body motion while running, the foot is in touch with the ground, thus supporting the body against gravity. The knee joint is at its maximum extension just before to the support phase. The knee joints start flexing, once the contact is made with the ground. As the supporting legs bend at the knee, the pelvis goes down on the opposite side. This movement in lower body in running absorbs shock. The knee flexion is contested by the muscle contraction. With the supporting hip continuing to extend, the opposite hip rises from its short dip and the support phase begins to changeover into drive, when you go running.
During this stage of lower body motion in running, the drive leg lengthens at the knee joint, and at the hips, while the toe maintains touch with the ground. The leg follows behind the body, with the foot pushing backward and down too. This movement in lower body in running develops a diagonal force vector, which has a vertical component. The drive phase continues to offer some hold against gravity and is often looked upon as an extension of the support phase. Most of the power of the drive originates from the quadriceps muscle group.
When the driving toe drops its contact with the ground, this is the start of the recovery phase, the next stage of the lower body motion while running. The flexing of the swiftly drive the knee forward. Much of this lower body movement in running is driven by the forces transferring from the upper leg rather than by the action of the muscles. With the knee kicking forward, a torque is exerted against the lower leg through the knee joint, which causes the leg to snap upward. During the last period of recovery, the hip attains maximum flexion. Recovery phase comes to an end when the foot comes in touch with the ground, thus giving way to the support phase.