Pelvic Rotation

Efficient running not only includes human kinetics with the legs and arms, it also involves pelvic rotation.  This rotation moves about the vertical axis—the spine—and requires the runner’s hips to alternately move to the right and then to the left, relative to the forward direction.  This pelvic rotation while running comes with several advantages.

-First, the pelvic rotation allows what little air resistance that the runner encounters to rush past the runner with each step with the leg.  Thus, there is less drag force to oppose the linear forward motion of the runner allowing the runner to use less energy. 

-Second, hip rotation also helps the runner to have a more natural and smoother run and again reduces the energy required to move the runner’s center of mass. 

-Finally, the pelvic rotation decreases the impact at contact with the running path felt by the runner. 

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