For all you joggers, runners, and walkers out there, TennisTraveller , I have a really great tip: the LAUFMAUS, a small aid that can support and improve your fitness training. Running or walking is so important for us tennis players to build and maintain our basic endurance. In this post, you'll learn exactly what the LAUFMAUS is, how it can help you, how it came about, and who the company behind it is. I'll also share my own experience with it, because you have to test things yourself before recommending them!
And as you've come to expect from us, we're giving away a total of three LAUFMAUS sets until July 10, 2022. Maybe you'll even become a speed demon on the court!
Interview with Martin Rutemöller • Experience report
The LAUFMAUS is an ergonomically shaped, ultra-lightweight grip element. Developed over five years, this innovative running product is the first to focus on the importance of the hands and, thanks to its special design, optimizes running and gait patterns. With the LAUFMAUS, the body is noticeably straightened while walking and running, and the position of the upper body, from the head and shoulders to the spine, is optimized so that walkers and runners can run more healthily, efficiently, and comfortably. The result: less stress on the joints, improved breathing, and greater overall body stability.
The mechanism of action is based on two principles. The complex shape of the RUNNING MOUSE brings the hands into a kind of forward-leaning position . The thumb points forward and upward, the index finger is extended, and the back of the hand is slightly rotated outwards. This change in the hand-finger-thumb position affects the entire musculoskeletal system. Due to the outward rotation of the back of the hand, the forearms also rotate. This causes the membrane between the radius and ulna (a natural constriction in the body) to open. With this opening, relaxation occurs in the forearm, which in turn relaxes, stretches, and straightens the entire body through the functional chain of forearm-upper arm-shoulder-neck. This opens up other anatomical constrictions. Nerves, blood vessels, and lymphatic vessels can function more effectively, and the entire cardiovascular system is relieved. The rib cage gains more freedom of movement, which allows for deeper breathing. Body tension, body control, and motor skills improve visibly and noticeably.
The upright posture provided by the LAUFMAU® ensures that the center of gravity shifts more centrally, resulting in a more even distribution of force across the entire sole of the foot. Arm movement becomes more effective and directs the body straighter forward. This reduces unnecessary body rotation along the longitudinal axis. Joint stress on the hips, knees, and ankles decreases. Stored energy from muscles and tendons is released more efficiently. Running stability and economy improve. The LAUFMAU® ensures that the open hand position, crucial for running, can be maintained without fatigue, even during longer runs.
Then there's also a sensorimotor effect . Our palms have a particularly high sensory density. This is well-known from acupressure. The effect is already familiar from sensorimotor insoles. Many tennis players also use such insoles. And why shouldn't the sensorimotor effect also be achievable through the hand? After all, the hand is three times more strongly connected to the brain than the feet. The sensorimotor effect stimulates the insula in the brain. This is the area responsible for motivation, happiness, and energy. Natural doping from the hand, so to speak.
Neurologists have long recognized the significant influence of the palms on the human nervous system. It is the sensory qualities of the skin and connective tissue, with their over 17,000 sensory receptors, that exert a maximum effect on the body. These specific reflex zones are also called maximum points or "points of entry," which are used in Chinese medicine to activate and influence vital energies and organ energies. The design of the LAUFMAUS (Running Mouse) is precisely aimed at this. When held in the hand, it establishes contact along the life line and with the extraordinary meridian acupuncture points located there. The LAUFMAUS thus stimulates the insula via the median nerve, which runs through the palm, thumb, and index finger. This is the area in the brain responsible for experience, inner well-being, muscle tone, and ultimately, motivation and performance. The result is an improvement in overall vitality and performance, as well as relaxed, elastic mobility and optimized general motor skills.
This anatomical mechanism of action has already been partially scientifically proven. A study led by orthopedic surgeon Professor Dr. Stefan Sesselmann at the Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule Amberg-Weiden (OTH Amberg-Weiden) has extensively investigated the LAUFMAUS (Running Mouse) and its effects over the past few months. What is the optimal arm position while running? How can we positively influence it? What is the benefit of a grip element like the LAUFMAUS in this regard? This is a topic that has been neglected in science until now. Sesselmann's study, conducted as part of LAUFMAUS research, has now clarified the potential effects of hand and arm posture on the entire organism. His researchers demonstrated that the LAUFMAUS does indeed significantly improve hand and arm posture. "That it would be so clear right away exceeded my expectations," Sesselmann emphasizes.
It's actually quite simple: the best therapy for musculoskeletal problems is movement, specifically walking and running. Movement efficiency is particularly important in this regard. Minimizing stress on the musculoskeletal system is crucial to reducing overuse injuries. Movements like walking and running are regulatory movements (regulatory mechanisms) that restore the body's balance.
The LAUFMAUS can be used for basic and endurance training in almost all sports, including tennis. Whether for long-distance running, shorter tempo runs, or interval training, tennis players can use the LAUFMAUS to work on their running technique and posture whenever they're not using a racket. Furthermore, during racket-free training sessions, the LAUFMAUS can help develop and refine skills such as perception, orientation, stability, quick reactions and decision-making, mental strength, and concentration.
It typically takes up to six sessions for the musculoskeletal system to adapt to the new movement pattern with the LAUFMAUS (Running Mouse). There's no exact number, as everyone is different. However, the LAUFMAUS should be used consistently with every walk or run to achieve optimal results. Due to the brain's neuroplasticity, there's no complete adaptation or internalization of the newly triggered movement patterns and stimuli. We are all constantly striving for optimal performance. We would like to remind you of our explanatory videos on the correct application of the LAUFMAUS, how to move with it, and additional exercises. Sometimes, changing the size of the LAUFMAUS can also be helpful to experience a difference.
European champion Jan Fitschen explains how to use the RUNNING MOUSE:
Behind the product lies the personal story of sports physician and osteopath Dr. Horst Schüler from Münster. In 2007, on his way to a house call, a truck crashed into his car at full speed. The spinal cord in his cervical spine was severely damaged. For years, chronic pain and restricted movement were a daily occurrence for him; surgery and rehabilitation brought only slight improvement. But giving up was not an option. To promote the regeneration of his musculoskeletal system and his overall health, the doctor discovered that optimal arm and hand posture led to improvements . "At some point, I realized I needed to put my arms and hands in a relieving position that reduced the cramps," recalls the now 70-year-old. Schüler tinkered in his garage, experimenting with prototypes made of modeling clay – until, after several years of development work, he created a device that finally allowed him to walk completely pain-free again – and which is now on the market as the LAUFMAUS (Running Mouse).
You can find the video about its creation here: https://youtu.be/EsN5NEUtueM
The LAUFMAUS team includes Dr. Schüler, Managing Director Martin Rutemöller, and partners Oliver Baumgartel and Thomas Pieper. Four employees are also part of the team, responsible for sales, marketing and public relations, back office, accounting, and general administration. LAUFMAUS is produced and marketed on a small farm in Emsdetten, with test tracks right outside the office.
One of the biggest hurdles was certainly product development and the patent process.
Two exciting and thrilling highlights of our still young company history were undoubtedly our two appearances on "Die Höhle der Löwen" (The Lion's Den). Anyone involved in the startup scene knows the show. According to our information, around 1,000 companies apply each season. Naturally, we also considered pitching our LAUFMAUS (Running Mouse). In our case, however, we didn't make the first move; the network contacted us. "Die Höhle der Löwen" is apparently always on the lookout for innovative products – and that's how they came across us. It was love at first sight. Nevertheless, we went through the application process like any other applicant. We never would have dreamed at the beginning that we would end up going home with two investors and, moreover, as one of the few startups to receive a recap segment.
Initially, we want to conquer the German-speaking market and raise awareness of running economy, which can be significantly influenced by hand movements. We want to further develop the LAUFMAUS (Running Mouse) and are considering additional products such as gloves. International expansion of the LAUFMAUS is also conceivable. Why shouldn't people in the USA and other countries also be open to running more easily and healthily? The LAUFMAUS principle is certainly effective in rehabilitation as well. We have ideas for further products based on the LAUFMAUS principle. A particular passion of ours would be involvement in children's and school sports, so that children can experience a natural movement pattern as early as possible. A children's LAUFMAUS is therefore one of our next projects. In parallel, we are currently working on establishing a LAUFMAUS Academy. Through this academy, we want to introduce our philosophy to running coaches and instructors and thus create training and movement sessions together with experts and users.
Writing about things is one thing. But we belong to the kind of writers who prefer to try out what they write about themselves, to have firsthand experience with it. While these experiences are naturally subjective, they will certainly be interesting and valuable for some of you. I myself run 2-3 times a week, covering 8-10 kilometers, mostly in the woods on soft, but sometimes uneven terrain. For the past few months, I've been having some problems with my hip and lower back, which are usually worse after running. Therefore, I was very curious to see how and if the RUNNING MOUSE could help me.
My personal conclusion: I will continue to use the LAUFMAUS running aid diligently and can easily imagine that my hip problems will indeed improve due to the overall straighter alignment of my arms, legs, and feet. However, this will certainly take several more weeks – time I need and will give myself. After all, I've been experiencing these symptoms for quite some time. In any case, it's a running aid that, in my opinion, makes perfect sense and is a great help!
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