Why is running cadence important?
Cadence plays a significant role in improving your mechanics and reducing any risk of injury. No matter what level of performance or professionalism you possess, improving your cadence is always the best thing. Beginners may experience a high turnover rate. That is they are more prone to injuries and other damages due to excessive impact. As a beginner, you have to be more intentional about working on your turnover rates.
According to research, a low cadence makes you prone to stress in your muscles and joints, and this can negatively affect your running mechanics. In some cases, you may even vibrate or oscillate up and down. A low cadence [1] can also affect your stance time; that is, how much time you spend on the ground. Spending more time on the ground can result in injuries.
It is usually difficult to improve your cadence, especially if you are a beginner. However, as a runner, a good cadence significantly affects your performance (stride length and speed). Your speed depends on the number of steps you take. This implies that the more steps you take, the faster you’re going to run. You can develop an appreciation for running but you need to focus more on your cadence if you want to go faster and further.
Your speed also depends on your stride length. You will spend more time on the floor if your stride length is too long. A long stride can also imply that your mechanics are not perfect because you’re applying excess pressure on your legs. Since your king strides are making you spend more time on the floor, the forces hitting your legs will make you more susceptible to injuries.