Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
spikier appearance than a regular run. When athletes are running at high
speeds, their feet tend to make contact with the ground on the ball of the foot.
At lower speeds, such as during jogging, the foot's contact with the ground
often seems to be much flatter, with the heel more normally making first
contact before the foot flattens onto the floor.
Child Running
When looking and analyzing any figure undertaking any action, we are
presented with many difficulties, since by necessity these actions are the
result of huge variations in physiognomies and other additional factors. As
such we are forced to deal in generalities. The actions of children present us
with similar problems; in addition, these actions may vary widely during their
developmental stages.
The run action largely depends on the child's age. The running action of a very
young child around 2 years old will be very different from a child just a few
years older, which will be different again from a child in her teens.
FIG 5.62
Young boy fast run
sequence.
Very young children naturally display rather more uncertain and somewhat
awkward gaits. This is largely due to their inexperience, a lack of coordination,
and a lack of confidence brought about by uncertain balance. The run itself
often has rather shorter strides than a more adult action, with the increase in
speed from a walk to a run achieved by the frequency rather than the length
of the stride. There is still a suspension phase, though it is very short. The
compression action as a result of the bending of the knee once the leading
foot makes contact with the ground is far less noticeable in young children.
The result is a far more bouncy and rather jerky action than can be found in
older children and adults. At this stage the arms will not provide a systematic
secondary action that contributes toward the workload of locomotion.
Instead they are likely to be held sideways out from the body to provide
additional balance. Remaining upright is as much an effort as is actual forward
motion; to this end the body is often held in a rigidly upright position with the
arms occasionally held in a slightly forward position and the hands held wide
open, as if in anticipation of a tumble.
