Your running stride has two components: stride rate, which is the number of steps taken per minute, and stride length, which is the distance of each step. Running speed equals stride rate times stride length:
Speed = Stride Rate x Stride Length
Over time, as someone runs a lot, and spends time running at faster speeds to work on technique, the body adopts the best combination of stride rate and stride length to make him or her a more economical, fluid runner, giving new meaning to the phrase poetry in motion.
Stride Rate
Although stride rate varies considerably among runners, most runners should aim for 80 to 90 steps per minute with each leg. To calculate stride rate when running, simply count how many times the right foot hits the ground in one minute. If the stride rate is less than 80, most runners will likely benefit from increasing their cadence. With a slightly faster stride rate, the runner will take lighter steps and spend less time impacting the ground, which reduces the chance of injury.
Stride rate is influenced by the number of fast-twitch muscle fibers and the ability of the central nervous system to recruit muscle fibers and move the legs quickly. Fast running is the simplest way to increase stride rate because it trains the central nervous system to recruit those fast-twitch muscle fibers.
After a thorough warm-up of easy running for about 10 minutes, gradually accelerate to full speed and then hold your maximal speed without straining for about 5 to 10 seconds before decelerating. Because the arms and legs move in sync, stride rate can be increased by pumping your arms more quickly. Remember to remain relaxed through the sprint. Do 5 to 10 sprints a couple of times per week.
Stride Length
Have you ever run with someone much taller than you and noticed that he or she takes longer strides? Despite what you may think, little correlation exists between a person’s height and stride length or between a person’s leg length and stride length. Taller runners don’t always take longer strides than shorter runners. Surprising, huh?
Of the two components of the stride, stride length is more important than stride rate. When the pace is increased from a jog to a run to a hard run, stride length increases more than does stride rate. If you don’t believe me, count every time your right foot touches the ground for one minute next time you run. Then pick up the pace and count again for one minute. You’ll notice that you won’t take that many more steps in a minute, despite a large difference in pace.
Stride length explains much of the difference in speed among runners. The subconscious manipulation of stride length and stride rate at different speeds is governed by what is most economical for runners; that is, at each pace someone runs, he or she may have a stride length that’s most economical for him or her to use, while staying at a specific stride rate (or within a narrow range of stride rates) may be what’s most economical for all running paces. The body is always trying to enhance its economy, and it’s a more economical strategy to increase the distance of each stride than it is to increase the cadence of the legs. (Same is true for swimming or rowing—distance per stroke is more important than the number of strokes per minute.)
Stride length is influenced by the range of motion at the hip—specifically, hip extension—and the amount of force the muscles produce against the ground at push-off. Never reach the leg out in front of your body to increase stride length, because that causes deceleration and braking. As you become a better runner, your stride length naturally gets longer.
Stride length is also influenced by fatigue. Indeed, a shortening stride length is one of the most obvious signs of a fatiguing runner. If you watch the end of a race, you’ll notice that the runner who has the faster stride rate compared to the other runners is the one who usually wins. So, while stride length is more important during the early and middle stages of a race, stride rate becomes more important at the end of a race, when the steps are shorter because of fatigue.
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Great article as always. I have been fascinated with running my whole life, though I have always been a sprinter. I would love to read your insights on the impact that the rate of arm-pumping action has on running speed. And also in terms of its correlation between stride rate/stride length as it pertains to one increasing with the other and how much manipulation of the arm movement can be done to increase speed yet still remain in harmony with the total economy of the running motion. Thanks so much!!
Jason Maki
Jason: Unfortunately, arm movement doesn’t contribute to speed. It only counterbalances what the legs are doing. Although that alone is important, because research has shown that doing other things with your arms, like running with them over your head or behind your back, reduces running economy.
Thanks Jason! Your expert information is always appreciated!!!!
Thank you for this great article Jason. I can’t wait to share it with the middle & high school athletes in our winter conditioning group. We have been working diligently to help some of them increase their stride rate, in order to run faster. We have used fast tempo music, clapping, drills, ladders, small hurdles and “wicket” running to encourage them to pick up and put down quickly.
As a short legged, grand master, with fast turnover, who runs everything from 4x200M Relays to 5 Milers, I was wondering what your recommendations for improving my stride length are? I was never long striding, but, I am sure my stride length has also declined with age. I have osteo arthritis, so I have mostly limited plyometrics to the pool. I do try to do step ups and regular stretching for the hip flexors. I have also done a small amount of hip mobility work in the form of hurdle drills & bounders. Do you think I would benefit from including these in my workouts more frequently?
Hope to see you at a Masters National Championship sometime soon.
Stride length is a product of hip extension and force at push-off, so you have to focus on those two things. Plyometrics can help the latter if you can handle them on hard ground. One day, when I can get at least within arm’s reach of my high school performances, I’ll run Masters Nationals.
Thank you Jason. I’ll think about how I can work on those two things. Hope to see you at a conference, or meet before too long. In the meantime, thanks for all that you share. 🙂
You’re welcome, Julie. I certainly try my best.
Enjoyed your talks at the OATCCC Clinic in Columbus.
Can you explain more about how hip extension and the location of the foot strike to the ground (eg: heel verses mid foot verses ball of foot) may affect speed, stride length, stride frequency and efficiency?
The foot needs to land as close as possible to directly underneath the center of mass. Whether the heel, midfoot, or forefoot touches down first isn’t as important as where the foot lands in relation to the center of mass. When you run faster, you naturally move closer to a forefoot strike. Many runners “overstride” by landing in front of their center of mass to increase stride length, but it is the hip extension and push-off that dictates the length of the stride. To go over all the details of stride mechanics would take another book!