Dr. Allan Horowitz, published newspaper article, The Liberal, Copyright 1987-1991
QUESTION: A few days ago I read in the paper about a new fitness trend. It is called “Retro Running.” Have you heard of it? What it is is running backwards. It is gaining popularity because it works muscles which aren’t used much, and may help decrease the risk of injury to knees, lower back, and pelvic area. Your comments on this subject would be appreciated.
ANSWER: I have read about retro running, but back when I was in university those who were into that kind of thing used to call it “Running Backwards.” I can’t say for sure, but I have a very strong suspicion that the name retro running, and the whole trend of running backwards, began in California.
It is likely that some U.C.L.A. track star indulged a little too much in some illegal, or barely legal substance, and then went out on his training run.
He didn’t know which way was up, down, front or back, and so he went jogging through the streets facing backwards. Someone spotted him and made a call to the National Enquirer. When approached by the cameraman and reporter he had two choices: blow his track scholarship, a chance at the Olympics, and his chance to major in Philosophical Basket Weaving at U.C.L.A., or invent some fancy new training procedure.
He chose the latter, the Enquirer bought it, and the world picked it up. To this day that track star can’t stop laughing when he drives his Corvette past some idiot running backwards down the street.
PURE FICTION
Now, I must admit that part of the story I just told is pure fiction. I don’t know exactly where this trend got started, but I would bet the above story tells it pretty close to what happened.
The information you have about working some muscles which don’t get worked often is essentially correct. Normal running primarily exercises the muscles at the front of the thighs and pelvis, known as the quadriceps. Running backwards would theoretically do the opposite for the muscles at the back of the thigh and buttock, the hamstrings and gluteals.
However, normal running also does exercise these muscles sufficiently well for the great majority of people. Only a true, elite athlete would, or should care, about strengthening specific muscle groups which aren’t strengthened enough just from normal running. And this elite athlete will know how to accomplish this without running backwards.
While it is true that less stress might be placed on some of the joints by running backwards, this safety factor is more than offset by the fact that most people have their eyes in front of their heads, and therefore it is usually much safer to run forward. If I had to chose between some knee pain from running forward, or a broken neck from running backward over a cliff, I know which sounds better to me.
LAUGHED AT
Let’s keep this trend where it probably started- on Hollywood Boulevard- and keep it out of York Region.
What will they think of next? Running shoes with computers inside? Riding bikes up mountains? Fitness facilities for pets? Come to think of it, I think all of the above are now reality!