Nobody here who can at least comment on whether her has heard of that or not?

Although as you get older, it may become harder to change movement pattens as they have become habitual, they can be altered to a point. As you said, not many people run wit perfect technique and even Olmypic champions still strive for excellence in technique - look ast Donavan Bailey in 1996 - technique slightly off.

Patterns can be changed over time but need to be worked on for a while and basd on good technique in the first place. I dont have any studies to hand but tye pubmed into google and enter the website. Type in movement control, motor learning or something similar. Will get some abstracts of the area.

Also if you can get your hands on the book by Schmidt (motor learning) or Magil, they will help you too.

Thanks alot for the answer. That helps alot. But do I understand you correctly, the sentence "you cant change the pattern of running" is wrong as I thought?

Running patterns can alter with intensive work but to what level depends on the peron and their history of training, injury, sport etc.

An easy example is changing the arm swing while running. Fairly simple to do so has changed the running pattern. Increasing knee drive or where the support leg strikesthe floor - these can be altered to improve technique. Hence why a lot oftechnical running will be part of a programme.

Agree with Alex. Patterns can be changed, technique can be changed, provided that there are no neurological problems preventing the change.

For instance, magnet reflex patterns found within the feet can inhibit rectus femoris and other quads in the case of a transverse arch problem or overly tightened shoe laces will create extensor weakness patterns and inhibit hamstring function. These weakness patterns can prevent good technique.

In addition, gait reflex patterns are established in the first few years of life. These patterns basically allow for gait to occur. Things like if you step forward on your left leg, there should be an inhibition of left shoulder flexors, right shoulder extensors, right lats etc... This process can be impaired by dural torque patterns, subluxations within the feet, a shortened crawl period as a child or problems with deep tendon relex patterns often as a result of acetylcholine imbalances or deficiencies.

In a nut shell, yes can be changed provided there is no physiological/neurological reason preventing normal neurological function.

Hi,

thanks alot for the answers, there will be some more discussions with this brazilian student. I will try and find some studies for that now. Great forum, great members. I will be visiting more often now.

I was taught that it takes 500 repetitions to learn a new technique but over 3000 reps if you have been performing it wrongly. I would try breaking your technique down and 'chunking' your technique. Practice a perfect knee lift then a heel to toe action etc.