Personalized Running Success: AI Plans for Every All Levels [7951]

Have any observant runners noticed that whether on a track, sports field, park, or square, almost everyone runs counterclockwise? Many people might have noticed this phenomenon unintentionally but don't know why everyone runs in a counterclockwise direction.

In the running circles of Europe and America, where road running has been popular for nearly a century, this issue has been discussed countless times by coaches, trainers, doctors, and scientists. Although there is no definitive answer, most people agree that the human physiological structure makes counterclockwise running more advantageous.

For road runners, there are many scientific reasons for running counterclockwise. Even professional track and field competitions are run counterclockwise.Today, I'll explain why people prefer to run counterclockwise~

There has been clockwise running in history

In ancient times, track and field races did not involve turning. In the ancient Olympic Games, races were held on a straight track 192.27 meters long, with middle and long-distance races running back and forth on the straight track. In the mid-19th century, the British first imitated horse racing in track and field competitions by running with right turns.

In 1896, at the first modern Olympic Games held in Athens, Greece, this British-style 'right turn' running was adopted. In 1912, the International Association of Athletics Federations officially stipulated that 'the direction of running must be based on the left hand inside,' so 'right turn' became 'left turn.'

The 1908 London Olympics was an exception, continuing to use the clockwise direction, but only to give the royal family the best viewing angle.

What are the scientific reasons for running counterclockwise?

1. The heart is on the left side

The heart is located on the left side of the body, so the center of gravity tends to lean to the left. When people jump or perform other actions, they often use their left foot to take off because the center of gravity leans towards the left foot, making it easier to turn left.

2. Left and right brain functions

The left brain controls the right side of the body, while the right brain controls the left side. In daily life, most people develop the habit of using their right hand for tasks, writing, and working, which places a heavy burden on the left brain, which is mainly responsible for advanced thinking activities. To maintain overall balance, the body automatically strengthens the left leg, which is controlled by the right brain.

3. Differences between left and right legs

The left foot acts as a support—bearing the center of gravity, while the right foot is responsible for movement—controlling direction and speed. Because the center of gravity leans towards the left foot, the right foot pushes off the ground to increase speed. Generally, the right hand and right foot are stronger than the left hand and left foot, which is why football players often use their right foot to kick the ball. When running on a track, the stronger right foot is on the outside. If you blindfold someone and ask them to walk in a straight line, nine out of ten people will walk in a left-curved arc, which is also due to the strength of the right foot.

4. Majority of right-handed people

Most humans are right-handed, and running counterclockwise is more convenient for right-handed people. With the right foot in front and the body leaning inward, people feel more comfortable and stronger, making it easier to maintain balance compared to running clockwise.

5. Earth's centrifugal force

During the Earth's rotation, inertia causes a force known as the Coriolis effect. In the Northern Hemisphere, this force is directed to the right, causing water to form counterclockwise vortices as it flows downward. In the Southern Hemisphere, the direction is reversed. The International Association of Athletics Federations stipulates that running should be counterclockwise because most competitions are held in the Northern Hemisphere. If the direction does not align with the Earth's rotational force, the body is more likely to be injured due to uneven centrifugal and rotational forces.

6. Track and field rules

The International Association of Athletics Federations has standardized the direction of running to be with the left hand inside, i.e., left turns, which has been followed to this day. Because of this rule, people have adopted this counterclockwise running method.

Summary

In fact, for many casual runners, there is not much difference between running clockwise or counterclockwise. However, for those who train regularly on a track, there might be some issues. If you always run in one direction, over time, the muscles in your legs can become imbalanced. This can affect your knee joints and muscles and be detrimental to future running competitions.

Therefore, if you start running counterclockwise, you should change direction after a period to maintain muscle balance in both legs. For example, run counterclockwise for the first two weeks, then switch to clockwise for the next two weeks. Alternating running directions in this way helps ensure balanced muscle development and promotes healthy running.

Want to know more about professional knowledge on sports injuries? Tonight, national first-class athlete and long-distance runner@Jelly Rabbit Earswill continue to discuss how to avoid the embarrassment of black toenails caused by running in the Codoon live room. Click the image below to enter the Codoon live room, and don't miss out at 8:00 PM tonight~