One reason forefoot running is better for the shin is that it improves shin angle at landing because stride length is reduced while stance width is wider. When you land on the front of your foot, the foot has less time to swing out all the way through and around the stance limb, which is why stride length shortens. This also means there’s less chance for the foot to swing out and land across the midline, rather the foot ends up landing away from the midline, resulting in a wider stance width. Heel strike running, on the other hand, pulls your mechanics in the opposite direction, resulting in more opposing forces and mechanical strain on the shin. Read more here!
Bretta Riches
"I believe the forefoot strike is the engine of endurance running..."
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.
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)
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