What is cadence?

Cadence is the frequency or rate of steps per minute. Some single-sided footpods, sports watches or fitness trackers measure it as the number of times one foot hits the ground in one minute. Using the INCUS | NOVA we can measure both sides and find the true average.

Why does cadence matter?

Cadence is very individual but in general a cadence that is too low can indicate over-striding which could increase your chance of injury due to higher impact forces. A cadence that is too high can be inefficient.

How does INCUS measure cadence?

Using the centrally positioned INCUS | NOVA we are able to record each stride on the left and right leg to give an accurate cadence.

Monitoring your progress

Knowing your cadence is another piece of the jigsaw that gives a 360-degree understanding of your performance. Monitoring your cadence can help you spot trends that relate to good performances or to keep an eye on niggling injuries.

To start measuring your cadence head to the Run Store

What is Take-Off and Landing?

Take off & Landing are measures of acceleration at the toe off and deceleration at the foot strike phases of your stride.

Why does Take-Off and Landing matter?

Both are related to a number of factors including leg stiffness. Which correlates to Running Economy. Excessive landing deceleration is one of the biggest causes of running injuries. INCUS can help show INCUS Run users the level of their landing deceleration on left and right legs and advise on how to lower this through Pro Tips.

Monitoring your progress

Look at your Take Off & Landing values over time. Increased values for a given type of session could be a sign of increased injury risk. Observe how symmetrical your Take Off & Landing values are between your left and right foot. Use it alongside Pace to identify how your run form is affected by certain target paces, or how trends may correlate with niggles or injury.

To start measuring your Take-Off and Landing head to the Run Store

What is Stride Phase

Stride Phases shows you total stride time and how much of your stride is spent in contact with the ground and in flight.

Why does Stride Phase matter?

Looking at your Stride Phase values is an interesting way of comparing your run form at different speeds or at different points in your run as you fatigue. It can be helpful when looked at alongside Pace and Take Off & Landing to identify how your run form is affected by certain target paces, or how trends may correlate with niggles or injury.

Monitoring your progress

Look at your Take Off & Landing values over time. Increased values for a given type of session could be a sign of increased injury risk. Observe how symmetrical your Take Off & Landing values are between your left and right foot. Use it alongside Pace to identify how your run form is affected by certain target paces, or how trends may correlate with niggles or injury.

To start measuring your Stride Phase head to the Run Store

What is Run Power?

Run Power is a measure of your running effort and efficiency, which unlike Pace is not influenced by any other factor such as hills, headwind or rough terrain .

Why does Run Power matter?

Run Power provides a single, consistent metric to compare performance across different runs. For example, running up a hill or into a headwind requires more energy (to produce a given speed) in comparison to a flat, still run. Run Power describes this effort in a way other metrics can’t.

How does INCUS measure Run Power?

Using the centrally positioned INCUS | NOVA we are able to record each stride on the left and right leg to give an accurate cadence.

Monitoring your run power

Observing how your Run Power changes alongside other measures such as elevation or cadence can help to identify where you are strong and where to improve. Using Average Power in the session summary allows you to quickly compare effort across different sessions. This is a really useful way of checking that your weekly training is balanced and you are providing the right dose of training stress to your body to improve without becoming over-trained.

To start measuring your Run Power head to the Run Store

What is Running Variability?

Running Variability looks at how your form changes across a session, it can help you to understand what happens to your technique when you change pace and how your body moves when you begin to fatigue.

Why does Running Variability matter?

Understanding the way your form changes at different points in your session can help you identify areas of weakness to work on. It may also help you identify if certain types of run correlate with soreness or niggling injuries – for example if your form breaks down above a certain distance or pace of run.

How does INCUS measure Running Variability?

NCUS takes into account the variability of all of our metrics to produce a single value, Running Variability. This simply tells you how far your technique differs from it's norm during a run, the bigger the value the more variable your metrics are during a split.

Monitoring your progress

Consistency of form across your running session is the goal. Maintaining your form across a higher pace or distance can indicate that your body has adapted to this training stress and your fitness has improved. If your Run Variability is high, showing your technique is drastically different to normal, it is a good indicator that further investigation is needed. High Run Variability values could suggest anything from a niggling injury, muscular stiffness or even a change in equipment such as new running shoes.

To start measuring your Running Variability Run Store