Why is Running EFFICIENCY overlooked by so many athletes/coaches in favour of focusing on Running ECONOMY?

Running is a HUGELY complex beast.  Full stop.

As a practitioner, and NOT a coach, I spend a lot of time with runners who have either movement-specific pain, or struggle to maintain even splits/achieve PB's in training or competition.  My focus when treating such athletes is to optimise movement patterns via efficient muscle activation patterns and directional stability. However, not all runners are created equal, and some are more efficient than others. Yet some coaches still have a very strong focus on running economy.  So what's the difference, and why do I feel in order to be ECONOMICAL first you must be EFFICIENT?

Running economy refers to the amount of energy needed to run at a given pace. It is usually measured by oxygen consumption, and it can be improved by increasing aerobic fitness and reducing the energy needed for each stride. Running economy is important for endurance runners because it affects how long they can maintain a given pace without fatiguing (remembering that everything we practitioners AND coaches are trying to do is 'delay the onset of fatigue').

On the other hand, running efficiency refers to the ability to use the body's energy resources in the most effective way possible. It is influenced by a number of factors, including biomechanics, muscle activation patterns, and coordination. Running efficiency is important because it affects the overall quality of movement, which in turn affects the risk of injury and the ability to perform at a high level.

Running efficiency is often overlooked by coaches because it is more difficult to measure than running economy. While running economy can be measured with a gas analyser, running efficiency requires a more nuanced understanding of biomechanics and the ability to identify and correct movement patterns that are inefficient or potentially harmful.

For example, a runner with poor running efficiency may have poor hip extension strategies (poor glute and hamstring activation). This can lead to wasted energy and (possibly, worst case scenario) increased risk of injury. A coach who focuses solely on improving running economy may miss this issue entirely, even if the runner is able to maintain a given pace for longer periods of time.

Improving running efficiency requires a multi-faceted approach that takes into account the unique needs of each individual runner. This may involve working on specific drills and exercises to improve biomechanics and muscle activation patterns, as well as addressing underlying issues such as muscle imbalances or flexibility limitations (though flexibility tends to be a low level priority).

While running economy is certainly an important aspect of endurance running, it should not be the sole focus of training. By addressing running efficiency and ensuring that runners are moving in the most effective and efficient way possible, coaches can help their athletes achieve their goals and stay injury-free.

So what is my suggestion going forward?  Coaches should work closely with movement scientists to ensure their athletes are moving well, allowing them to get the absolute most out of their coaching skills.