Fitness
Downhill Quad Braking Technique
Downhill quad braking technique uses short strides and soft knees to spread eccentric load—avoiding upright locked-leg braking that shreds quads.
Downhill quad braking technique shortens stride, lands midfoot under hips, and uses slight knee flex—not locked legs slamming each step. Lean torso subtly forward from ankles; over-braking backward torches quads.
On loose gravel, cadence rises; on smooth fire road, relaxed arms balance. Poles can offload some braking force in ultras.
Common questions
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Should you lean back on steep downhills?
Excessive sit-back braking spikes quad load. Use a controlled forward balance from the ankle with quick feet—slow down before terrain you cannot brake safely.
Related terms
Put Downhill Quad Braking Technique into practice
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