Running or sprinting puts a significant amount of strain on the body, especially on a runner's muscular and skeletal systems. Good posture and efficient movement patterns are therefore essential for runners.
Athletes can use the bodywork method of Rolfing® Structural Integration to achieve optimal alignment of their bodies and improve their body awareness. Through Rolfing, runners can increase their flexibility, facilitate breathing, and reduce physical strain pain.
Improving Athletic Performance
Rolfing can help runners avoid bad posture and injuries by aligning their bodies ideally. By releasing adhesions and hardening in the connective tissue, flexibility and mobility can be improved, increasing stride length and range of motion.
Special Rolfing techniques can also relax chest muscles and open up the chest to allow for more effective breathing, which is particularly important for runners, as breathing transports oxygen to the muscles.
Rolfing as Part of Runner's Training Plan
Rolfing® Structural Integration does not work only with the connective tissue, but considers the interplay of all body elements, such as fascia, muscles, bones, and ligaments.
Many runners suffer from pain related to overuse or injury. By releasing tension and blockages in the connective tissue during Rolfing, such pain can be relieved and ideally avoided.
For every professional runner, Rolfing® Structural Integration should, therefore, be an important and regular part of their training plan. Such a plan may include specific exercises to improve strength and endurance, as well as stretching and relaxation exercises to improve overall running performance.
Author: Sabine Becker
Learn more about Rolfing® Structural Integration.
Find a Rolfer® near you.
Train to become a Certified Rolfer®.
Want to know more?
Sign up for our newsletter and receive regular information about Rolfing® Structural Integration.