Because injury rates are so unacceptable highly, this prompts the appropriate question, is running bad for you? The truth is, running is not a big threat to our musculoskeletal system. No one should be afraid to run because we are reportedly born to run. Just always keep in mind that we are born to run on the forefoot, not on the heel and that heel strike is for walking, not running.
Is Running Bad for You?
Running should be integrated into everyone’s lifestyle to stay healthy, happy, and fit.
Unfortunately, some people are intimidated to run, thinking they’re physically not built for it, or believe running is highly injurious.
This is a huge misconception because humans were meant to run and for long distances. Running is a natural movement of the human form just like walking.
Running is Very Safe, Only if You Forefoot Strike!
Forefoot striking is the natural way to run and reduces impact, preventing many running related injuries compared to heel striking. Forefoot striking eliminates:
- impact and muscular pressure
- repetitive impact shocks related to stress fractures
- tibial shock associated with shin splints
Conversely, bone injuries are related to high impact forces in heel striking. But, forefoot striking is less forceful which shortens recovery time allowing you to run harder and longer.
Humans Evolved as a Running Species
A pile of evidence confirms humans evolved as a running species millions of years ago. However, a clash between scientific facts and ideologies on running and injury solidly exists.
Our ancestors ran barefoot 10-14 miles per day searching for and chasing after dinner. It is well documented our ancestors ran with a forefoot strike, not a heel strike. Running on the forefoot while barefoot is more comfortable than landing the heel since the heel pad lacks sufficient padding for running.
I’m not here to tell everyone to go back to their ancestral roots and start running barefoot.
But, if people ran on their forefoot instead of their heel, running would be a more enjoyable experience rather than discouraging and painful.
As I stated before, my goal at RUN FOREFOOT is to supercharge your belief engine by advocating the importance of forefoot running and to spread awareness on the dangers of heel striking.
I hope to eliminate the negative perceptions and skepticism’s on running in general and get more people running!
Posts You Can’t Miss:
Forefoot Running and Performance – Learn how forefoot running boosts performance better than heel strike running.
Running Barefoot On Soft Surfaces – Understand how softer surfaces might make it challenging to maintain your forefoot strike.
Shoes for Forefoot Running – Here I have selected the BEST shoes I feel will help any runner land on their forefoot with greater ease.
Going Barefoot – How and why running without shoes has important implications on running biomechanics and foot health.
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.
Latest posts by Bretta Riches (see all)
- Vivobarefoot Primus Road Review - 27/05/2023
- Is Heel Striking Bad Form in Running? - 26/05/2023
- Barefoot vs Minimalist Shoes: Why Barefoot is Better for Fixing Your Form! - 23/05/2023
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