Running symposium.

The running symposium has been designed to demonstrate to the reader the basic mechanics of the running gait, as compared to normal walking. It is imperative in order to understand the nature of the problems seen in runners to understand the forces and motions which are occurring in the various joints of the lower extremity, so that as much as possible, treatment can be based upon accurate anatomical diagnoses, rather than empiric treatment. The second part of this symposium discusses the nature of the injuries seen in the lower extremity in runners. Suggestions are made as to how to manage the problems as well as their prevention. Finally, a comment is included on the nature of the running shoe and on shoe selection.