Why Heel Strike Running is Bad for the Shins

Another reason heel strike running is bad, not just for the knees and the lower back, but for the shins too! This is because to engage a heel strike landing during running, the front of the foot (forefoot) pulls back upon and at touchdown. The more the forefoot yanks back at touchdown, the harder it slaps down onto the ground to initiate the stance phase. Shin splints arises from this because the impact and mechanical strain from the continuous forefoot-slapping ripples up the lower leg, causing painful rises in contractions of the anterior tibialis (muscle that runs down the front of the shins). Read more here!