Thick cushioned running shoes with stability support increases the risk of injury by forcing the feet into extreme positions which causes the ankles to work harder in holding the foot more steady. This increased mechanical work at the ankles also spills over onto multiple sites of the leg, like the shins and knees, and is a net contributor to ankle sprains, shin splints and runner’s knee.
Forefoot running is better for the shins because it reduces the opposing forces and mechanical strain that causes chronic shin splints as compared with heel strike running.
One of the many ways forefoot running prevents injury is by naturally increasing cadence which was found to reduce damaging contact forces and peak ground reaction forces on the leg.
Because running shoes interferes with proprioception, my focus is on how reduced sensory traffic effects proprioceptor density and signaling in shod runners.
One of the many reasons why heel striking is bad for running is that its the only cause of a painful lower leg condition called chronic compartment exertional compartment sydrnome. This condition is literally cured by landing with a forefoot strike when running!
Copyright © 2025 | WordPress Theme by MH Themes