POSE IN PRESS A collection of articles about Pose Method and Dr.Romanov in various publications.
The DETROIT NEWS (USA)
Sports Medicine: Methodology
May 25, 2005
Pose method may aid jogging, running
by Steven Keteyian / Special to The Detroit News
Surprisingly, little attention is usually paid to the teaching of proper body position and technique while running or jogging. The fact of the matter is that these movements are pretty natural and, for the most part, tend to vary little from one person to the next. In actuality, however, if you carefully observe people running or jogging, you'd quickly note that differences do exist.
Regarding similarities, the obvious one has to do with foot motion. Specifically, with each step the person first strikes the ground with the heel of his foot, then the foot rolls forward along its long axis toward the forefoot, with weight carried slightly along the outside of the foot. Before weight is fully shifted to the ball of the foot, the foot rotates toward the inside -- just in time for the runner to push off with his toes. This pattern is repeated. Regardless of whether you jog or run, most people pretty much follow the same pattern. Joggers do so at a pace that is above eight minutes per mile, whereas runners regularly train at a pace less than eight minutes per mile.
Personal differences include how much the foot rolls inward before the push-off, arm positioning and movement and stride width and length. The reason I point all this out is that just this past month, two separate running friends recommended I try a new running technique called the Pose method. Both claim it is associated with much less leg discomfort, especially the discomfort that accompanies or follows longer runs. Ordinarily I don't pay attention to popularized techniques, but since my friends are well versed in the science of running, I thought I'd take a look.
A thorough description of the Pose running technique is provided at www.posetech.com, and for the most part it's pretty straightforward. I provide no affidavit that it is the right technique for you, but based on the recommendation of two colleagues and after reviewing the material provided, I see no reason not to consider it if your training is a bit stale and you're looking to change things up a bit.
A basic premise of the Pose method is running should not be viewed as a skill that we have little ability to influence. The Pose method advocates practicing one's technique and calls for a more vertical alignment of the shoulders, hips and ankles over the ball (not the heel) of the foot. Whether you'll experience faster race times and less injuries, I cannot say. But Pose does seem to be safe and is likely worth a shot for those people who are now runners or joggers and looking to make the process a bit easier.
If you're a walker and thinking about jogging, the Pose method may have some benefit for you as well. However, you have another issue to concern yourself with as well.
Be progressive and don't do more than your legs are ready for. When you get started, switch between a fast walk and a slow jog. As your fitness improves, the walks should become shorter as the jogging segments lengthen. Use the same approach when you progress from jogging to running. Start with longer jogging segments and reduce these over time as you adopt more and more time running. This all may take months but the return is worth it -- less injuries and more satisfaction. 
Steven Keteyian, Ph.D., is program director of preventive cardiology at the Henry Ford Heart & Vascular Institute in Detroit. Write him in care of Health & Fitness, The Detroit News, 615 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit, MI 48226.
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