Running Styles

According to the users physical abilities, several running styles can be adopted to propel the running bike.

The running techniques can be divided into three main styles, having some variations within each. Each technique requires a slightly different set up of the bike. The techniques are called Butterfly, Gallop, Hemiplegic Gallop, Classic Run and Athetoid Classic Run.

Which style is preferred depends not only on the leg function but just as much on the function of the upper body: arms, trunk and hip section. The specific running style used by a race runner does not necessarily put him in a specific class, when competing. It may take years to develop strength and good coordination of any style. How fast they will be able to be also depends on gained control of breathing and aerobic capacity, as well as the endurance of the stomach and gluteus muscles.

Starts

Many runners will have problems getting used to the start shot, as it is a sudden loud sound causing a spastic startle reaction. Experience from training shows that use of ear plugs and start' with a shot fired from a longer distance away or a less loud shot will decrease the reaction and enable them to use it to provide an immediately forward action and raise their general arousal. Some runners will benefit from listening to music "with a good beat" to get arousal before a race.

Butterfly

In butterfly the body is leaned forward by approximately 40 degrees. One third of the body weight leans on the body support plate. The hips are lifted by pulling the body forward towards the handle bars. Both the legs are swung forward at the same time and parallel, without much bending of the knees. The stride is short and often rather fast. Hip and leg muscles seem to be tight and stiff. Often this results in a fast and superficial breathing.

This technique is mostly used by diplegic spastic runners having none or little active mobility in the lower body and legs.

Gallop

This style reminds us of a galloping horse. All of the weight is placed on the body support plate. The body leans forward by 70 - 90 degrees. The upper body is pulled forward and down towards the steering handle using the body support plate as a lever to lift the legs.

The hips are lifted much higher than in Butterfly. The one foot always touches ground in front of the other one, allowing a much longer and powerful stride. A lot of the power in the stride comes from the weight of the legs as they are slammed into the ground.

To run fast and long in this technique requires good arms and very fit back, stomach and gluteus muscles. There may be reduced tone in the legs. The breathing rhythm is slower than in butterfly. Typically there are two double strides per breath and 45- 50 breaths per minute.

This technique is used by spastic diplegic runners having a good upper body function and good back/ pelvis mobility but little active mobility in the legs. They may be dominantly hypotonic in the upper body and spastic in the lower body.

Hemiplegic Gallop

Runners having a hypotonic/weak or spastic side - being hemiplegics - naturally often work more with the better side of the body. They may be able to use both legs in the start with normal running style, but as soon as they go fast the poor side can't follow the rhythm of the better side. Then the leg on the hemiplegic side is "hanging" only doing a weak and short stride - if any at all.

Because there is no real contra mechanic momentum of the one leg, the good leg tend to have a slower rhythm but a good follow though movement. Also one legged amputee runners use this pattern. This Technique is mostly used by spastic hemiplegic runners having one near normal side and one very poor side.

Classic Running

In the classic running style the two legs follow a normal running rhythm. 50 - 70 % of the weight is placed on the body support plate. The body leans forward by about 40 - 50 degree and the arms provide trunk stability. Usually the upper body only has minimal problems. Some may run with a good bend and lift of the knee, while others may not be able to do so.

The breathing rhythm should be approximately 48 - 52 breaths per minute.

This technique is used by the less disabled athletes, where their cerebral palsy does not hinder fast movements and an almost normal running movement pattern.

Athetoid Classic Run

Some athletes look like they run with a good and long stride, but at a closer look; they are not making a full stride! Nor is it well coordinated! When running fast or attempting powerful strides spastic reflexes are activated and an athetoid pattern interferes, so that the running pattern is disrupted and inefficient. This technique is mostly used by runners having athetoid cerebral palsy that affects all of body and have spasticity in (parts of) the legs, having little control of co-ordination, especially when doing fast movements. The breathing may be tense and superficial. Other runners may lack strength or be ataxic causing weak or short strides.