Does shortening stride length (and running for a longer time) require the same effort as a longer stride (for a shorter time)?

Asked by: Evelyn Schol

“If you’re maintaining the same pace but running with a shortened stride length, you’ll increase your cadence because you’ll be taking more steps per minute,” she explains. “If you lengthen your stride, you’ll be taking less steps per minute at the same pace.”

Is a longer or shorter stride better for running?

In general, it is better to run with a higher turnover than with fewer, longer strides. A higher cadence will decrease the impact forces of each stride, while also reinforcing proper footfall and body positioning.

Does shortening your stride make you faster?

Shortening your stride can help you run faster and longer. When you’re taking longer strides your legs have to cover more distance with each step and you end up landing inefficiently, explains Wight.

Are short strides better than long strides?

Running cadence and injuries



Runners with a higher cadence have a shorter stride length than runner’s with a lower cadence who tend to take longer strides and put more load onto their heels when their foot hits the ground. This can not only slow you down, but also contribute to injuries.

How does stride length affect running?

The more steps we take during a run, the faster the rate. For most runners, fixing our running form and stride length, will help increase our cadence according to our personal running speed. A shorter stride will lead to higher turnover rate, less ground impact than long strides and more time moving forward.

Do longer strides use more energy?

Running with proper stride is extremely important if your goal is to actually make it around the track. Proper stride not only allows you to run faster and use energy more efficiently, but it also protects your body from injury.

Are short strides better for knees?

*** A shorter stride allowed the knee to do less work absorbing energy. A 10 percent higher-cadence stride allowed the hips also to do less work. *** A shorter stride allowed the knee to bend less during stance, and decreased many hip motions.

How do you run a shorter stride?

So what I want you to try to do on purpose is take a little bit shorter stride. And then if you use the metronome.

What is a short stride length?

A stride rate demonstrated by almost all elite sprinters and distance runners of between steps per minute means your strides are short enough so that your feet land under you.

What is stride length running?

A stride length is the distance from the toe of one foot to the toe of your other foot as you run. Stride length varies from person to person, but an ideal running stride should be relatively short in length.

How long should stride length be running?

No matter what level of athlete you are, we like to encourage an average stride length (or cadence) of somewhere between 85 and 90 (that’s the # of times one of your feet will hit the ground per minute).