Scott Christensen's Core Strength Training for High School Middle Distance/Distance Runners

with Scott Christensen,
Stillwater Area High School (MN) Head Girls Track & Field / Cross Country Coach;
Stillwater Area High School (MN) Head Boys Track & Field / Cross Country Coach from 1980 to 2023;
2024 NHSACA Boys Track & Field National Coach of the Year recipient;
5x Minnesota State Boys Track & Field team champions;
5x Minnesota State Boys Cross Country team champions;
3x MN True Team Track & Field State Champions;
1997 USA National Cross Country champions;
has coached 23 individual state track & field and 2 individual state cross country champions;
USATF National Endurance Special Projects Instructor;
USATF National Level 2 Endurance Lead Instructor;
IAAF Level 5 Academy Instructor;
USTFCCCA Endurance Master's Course Instructor;
at Stillwater, has coached Ben Blankenship (2016 USA Olympian, 1500 meters), Luke Watson (1999, 2004, 2006 USA World Cross Country Championship Teams), and Sean Graham (2006 USA National Team);
only coach/program in U.S. high school history to produce four alumni sub 4:00 milers

In this video, Stillwater Area High School head coach Scott Christensen emphasizes that distance running is an athletic skill. Over the years, Christensen has developed a core strength training program that helps athletes run faster while decreasing their injury risk. His training program allows athletes to hold proper technique and body posture longer to enhance strength and power at max speed.

Core Strength Training Goals

The goals of core strength work should be to reduce injury, improve running economy, and increase the rate of force development. Christensen discusses the six muscle strength topics that he defines as essential in the development of distance runners. These muscle groups are crucial in developing movement skills, strength, power, speed and endurance. The drills Christensen shows are essential in teaching athletes to run at a lower percent of max effort while running longer and faster.

Approach to Strength Training

Coach Christensen emphasizes to do core strength work that is specific to the running activity. Training is based on a specific target movement, and core strength work is necessary for athletes to hold good form and minimize rotation movement.

Any coach who wants to reduce running injuries and improve the performance of their distance runners needs to see this video from Coach Christensen. Core strength work plays an essential role in training and conditioning that leads to increased endurance performance!

63 minutes. 2020.