A healthy back is as important to your running as fit legs. "If your back muscles aren't strong, they'll tend to tiredness much faster, taking energy far from other muscles, and change your stride, which can cause injury," states Lynn Millar, Ph.D., professor of physical therapy at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. Here's a take a look at how each of your posterior muscles impacts your efficiency, and a couple of fast repairs that will assist you run your best.

Lower Back

These muscles keep the body erect and assist you rotate slightly with each running action, offering your thighs and hips more energy to push you forward. A weak lower back can put additional pressure on the hamstrings, which can shake off your stride and cause injuries from the ankle to the hips, states Robert Gotlin, D.O., director of orthopedic and sports rehab at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York.

Shoulders/Upper Back

Strong shoulders keep your upper body unwinded, deal with the arms to move you forward, and help you breathe effectively.

"Proper spinal positioning optimizes the function of the lungs and diaphragm," says Pilates instructor Rebekah Rotstein.

Hips

The hips help drive us forward and stabilize our landing while preventing excess side-to-side motion that could cause and strain the back leg injuries. instant keto shark tank inatant keto pills