POSE IN PRESS A collection of articles about Pose Method and Dr.Romanov in various publications.
RUNNING (GERMANY)
April, 2006
ELEPHANT TURNS INTO GAZELLE. The Pose Method of Running.
by Max Frei
translated by Dr. Frank Weinert
A revolutionary running technique, a new method of running? At first you will frown - is there something about it, or is it a marketing gag?
As a serious running magazine we see it as an obligation to have a closer look at the Pose Method of Running, which has spread all of the world with more and more runners having absolute confidence in this special technique. We reviewed the Pose Method with the help of Dr. Frank Weinert, a specialist in sports medicine and german Pose pioneer from Müllheim.
Max Frei: Mr. Weinert, you've been organizing the Pose Method running clinics for one and a half years now. Where did you first come into contact with Pose and what's behind this term?
Dr. Frank Weinert: I met Claudia Rivera, the only Pose coach in Germany at that time, at a swimming clinic in Rosenheim two years ago. I had a look at the Pose DVD and was completely fascinated how a bunch of running newbies went through two hour technique drills and changed from a flock of elephants into gazelles.
Shortly after that I booked a Pose clinic with Dr. Nicholas Romanov, a Russian sports scientist, who developed this running technique over 20 years ago. The term "Pose Method of Running" comes from the central element of this technique, the so called "running pose".
Max Frei: How does exactly this technique look like?
Dr. Frank Weinert: Three main elements - Pose - Fall - Pull - are combined for a movement, which uses less actice muscle work and where the body uses it's own shock-absorbing properties. The legs are not used for propulsion, its gravity. A short contact time of the foot with the ground under the GCM is important not to brake the continuous fall. Imagine a unicyclist - and then imagine the unicycle gone....
Max Frei: I think, this is easier to accomplish when running uphill. With running on level ground there may be some natural restraints. And what about downhill running ?
Dr. Frank Weinert: You are right. To let oneself fall and contol it is easiest when practicing uphill running. In running on level ground falling is the most difficult part of the three elements of Pose. When running downhill the upper body stays in a vertical position and the legs are moving at a higher cadence compared to level ground running.
Max Frei: Is it possible to alternate between "normal" and "Pose" running techniques?
Dr. Frank Weinert: No. Itīs all or nothing.
Max Frei: What type of runners should change to Pose?
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| Mit Arbeit und Überwindung geht es vorwärts |
Dr. Frank Weinert: If you enjoy running, reach all your goals and have no pain: If it ainīt broke, donīt fix it. But if you want to be a faster runner with less effort or if you are one of about 65% runners who are stalled by running related injuries every year then analyzing your running technique and changing to the Pose Method will show excellent results.
Max Frei: Are there running related problems where a change in running technique is indicated in particular?
Dr. Frank Weinert: Doctors and runners still think, that many running related overuse injuries indicate a structural damage. For example: The diagnosis chondropathia patellae is used to describe a damage of the cartilage behind the kneecap. But this is not true for most of the runners with anterior knee pain.
Running injuries, in terms of Pose, are the price we have to pay for the wrong technique. Running injuries are mostly problems of function, not related to damage of tissue. They also indicate the absence of coordination, flexibility and core strength.
Max Frei: As a specialist in sports medicine could you share your experience with us
Dr. Frank Weinert: Analysing running technique and changing to Pose Method of Running for treating all common overuse injuries shows excellent, sometimes unbelievably fast results. Michelle is a typical example of that. She complained about an ITBS which stayed for months. She wrote:" This time itīs really the end: I tried everything only to hear from several doctors finally that I have to give up running. Honestly I canīt believe and accept that. I canīt imagine life without running."
After attending a Pose mini clinic the pain dissapeared completely without injections, tablets or a temporary break from running.
Max Frei: You emphasize, that you donīt need special shock absorbing or stabilizing shoes for running. You run even you marathon races in "flats". Itīs said that the loads on the joints are lower with Pose Method. How come?
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| Die Körperhaltung ist entscheidend |
Dr. Frank Weinert: The running pose - knees and hips always bent, short ground contact - is the reason for the reduction of forces acting on our body. And if you have less material between your sole and the ground, your foot is able to feel the forces at ground contact much more accurate, which influences the whole movement pattern during running.
Professor Tim Noakes, author of the book "Lore of Running" did a study, where he could show a 50% reduction of the forces acting on the knee during Pose running. No running shoe can actually do that.
Max Frei: Why is there such an emphasis on running technique? Isnīt it just a simple change in running style only to conquer running injuries?
Dr. Frank Weinert: Why is running the only sport where you donīt need a technique to master this discipline successfully and without injuries ?
You canīt only give advice to buy good running shoes, especially when nobody really knows how they look like. Quotes like:" run round, easy, fluently, relaxed" donīt show you which steps to take to get there.
With Pose Method you have a clear cut frame for orientation, you can learn good technique in a step by step manner.
Max Frei: Isnīt it what we used to call running economy - a beautiful and economic running style - today given the name of Pose?
Dr. Frank Weinert: In Pose running isnīt invented new. Pose is based on laws of physics. It systematizes an economical, less energy consuming and load reducing movement pattern, performed by most of the top athletes, and shows us how to learn it.
Max Frei: You use Pose mostly for injury prevention and rehabilitation. Are there any top athletes using Pose?
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| Die Fähigkeit, sich einfach mal fallen lassen zu können |
Dr. Frank Weinert: Jürgen Zäck, german triathlete, the leader of the ITU worldcup Hunter Kemper, Duathlon worldchampion 2002 Tim Don, Boston marathon winner 2003 Svetlana Zakharova run Pose style. Especially in triathlon you can see the great advantages with using Pose Method - You are getting faster with less training volume and no injuries. Dr. Nicholas Romanov is coaching the british triathlon team.
Max Frei: How do I recognize a Pose runner during a race?
Dr. Frank Weinert: Short steps, cadence over 180/min, running shoes with thin soles.
Max Frei: How do you get a Pose runner? What happens when you change running technique? How long does it take?
Dr. Frank Weinert: You should be prepared to start all over again. Be patient practicing the drills. Wonders donīt come overnight, even with Pose. But if you stick with it, use all the help we offer, you could try a marathon after about three months of training.
Max Frei: Sometimes Pose sounds like a new wonder pill: It makes a faster runner with less volume, he stays injury free, you have more power... Could you confirm those euphoric voices?
Dr. Frank Weinert: Yes. Just have a look at the Pose Method website www.posetech.com. But everybody has to work patiently and wonders can happen. You donīt get to play golf just after the first lesson.
Max Frei: Thank you for the interview
Max Frei
- Freelance writer for RUNNING Laufmagazin
- Author of the book "Laufszene Freiburg"
- Three times winner of the Freiburg marathon
- Bronze medallist hill running world championships 2003
- German champion of hill running 1999
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