Whether you are a barefoot or conventional runner, strength training should be an integral part of your conditioning program. Strength training for runners should emphasize the larger muscle groups of the leg.

Today we focus on demi single leg squats. Click here to watch a video of Tidewater Personal and Sports Performance Trainers Cody Morris and Ruth Middleton demonstrating how to do a demi single leg squat.

Demi Single Leg Squats are an ideal exercise for training quadriceps eccentrically. The purpose of this exercise is to train not only the quadriceps, but to focus on keeping the knee from tracking inward as you slowly lower yourself. This helps with the “braking force” your legs use as you transverse across your selected running surface.

*Matthew Ammons is a doctor of physical therapy and practices at Tidewater Physical Therapy’s Redmill clinic in Virginia Beach.