The most common running injuries are: runners knee, shin splints, Achilles tendon injury, and plantar fasciitis.
As it turns out, these injuries are mostly the result of poor running technique and bad running shoes –I’m talking about landing with a heel strike and wearing overly cushioned running shoes.
Some researchers have postulated that the shock-wave produced at heel strike is the main cause for these injury. Others suggest that cushioned running shoes inhibit natural foot functions causing our feet to grow weak with age. Therefore, there really is no adaptive advantage of using a heel strike landing during running or running in supportive running shoes because the rates of these common running injuries remain unacceptably high.
Let’s take a look at how heel strike running is the prevailing reason for these injuries…
Runners Knee
Find out how knee pain arises in heel strike running as well as other causes of the common condition.
Shin Splints
Lots of studies have linked shin splints to heel strike running. Find out the exact mechanism of heel strike running that shreds the shins.
Achilles Injury
Learn more about how heel strike running increases repetitive strain on the Achilles tendon, making it more vulnerable to injury.
Plantar Fasciitis
Find out how heel strike running, especially in cushioned running shoes, weakens the arch thereby breeding plantar fasciitis.
More From Run Forefoot:
Other Heel Striking Injuries – Here’s a list of injuries linked to heel strike running.
Forefoot Running – Learn how forefoot running can make you injury-free.
What is a Forefoot Strike – A closer look at how to use your foot when running.
Preventing Plantar Fasciitis – Landing on the forefoot while running stimulates extreme muscle growth in the foot.
Minimalist Running Shoe Reviews – An overview of the types of running shoes best for forefoot running.
Bretta Riches
BSc Neurobiology; MSc Biomechanics candidate, ultra minimalist runner & founder of RunForefoot. I was a heel striker, always injured. I was inspired by the great Tirunesh Dibaba to try forefoot running. Now, I'm injury free. This is why I launched Run Forefoot, to advocate the health & performance benefits of forefoot running and to raise awareness on the dangers of heel striking, because the world needs to know.
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