Tag Archives: runner

Lateral Movement Training: A Path to Stronger Hips, Knees, Ankles, Feet and Core

Side Step to Skip, Stop, Short Foot Activation, Single Leg Balance = Strength, Stability & Success

We started to really implement this & then fine tune it in response to a handful of athletes (from weekend warriors & runners to our high school athletes; especially those that play soccer &/or basketball ), who noted either stiff or weak, unstable ankles, lack of balance, as well as foot pain in the arch & heel commonly referred to as plantar fasciitis & even Achilles’ Tendonosis.

However, this lateral movement is applicable & can be practically applied to virtually everyone’s full body workout, DIY, no equipment necessary (aka one less excuse), Movement Rx.  Also worth noting is the empowering improvement we’ve seen in those determined & dedicated individuals who want to avoid or get out of those muscle atrophy & weakness potentiating orthotics or supports.

It can all start with the explained balancing of the supinators & pronators (neither is inherently “bad,” & both necessary for optimal biomechanics & your best chances at efficient, pain free movement), the hip adductors & abductors, & improving balance, strength & stability from the foot up through the core; feel it, embrace it, & repeat.

Know why you’re doing what you’re doing.
Know what you should be feeling; engaging & activating & experiencing.
Get after it.

Creating Lateral Stability to Heal & Strengthen the Hip, Knee, Ankle & Foot

This has “exercise” has become one of the most oft utilized both personally and clinically as it serves as a comprehensive means to address essential hip strength.  As noted in the demonstration below, weakness, instability or an overall inability to communicate with these stabilizing muscles can result in not only local hip issues, but knee pain and damage, IT-Band syndrome, knock knee while running, OVER-pronation and problematic stress to the plantar fascia, an imbalance and weakness while walking, running, jumping, squatting, dead lifting; the list goes on.

Even if you do not have any of the above issues (yet?), this is no doubt a solid add to your proactive, intelligent, full body regimen.

Have at it: