Why Forefoot Running Should Be Taught in Gym Class

Kids love to run and play, in the wrong footwear which limits their capacity to learn sound forefoot running biomechanics. Alberto Salazar imperiously stressed that proper biomechanics means everything and proper biomechanical habits must be instilled before incorrect ones develop.

If kids learn to run properly, with a forefoot strike, they will especially be less prone to injury as adult runners. Alberto Salazar admitted he retired at age 26 from professional running because he largely ignored the science behind proper running form –this is why his form was incredibly messy and caused perpetual injuries.

Today, Alberto Salazar is committed to making sure his athletes are forefoot runners, not heel strike runners. To smooth the transition from heel strike to forefoot strike, Salazar has his athletes run barefoot in graded amounts to adopt the naturally occurring reflexes required to run productively.

Forefoot Good, Heel Strike Bad

Teaching Kids for Forefoot  Running in Gym Class

Kids need to understand the difference between a good strike (forefoot strike) and a bad strike (heel strike) when running. Furthermore, proponents of barefoot running — who base their arguments on empirical evidence — insist avoiding cushioned running shoes is instrumental in developing resistance to injury. Because we have the anatomical instruments capable of preventing injury, we cannot be certain that regular running shoes should be enlisted as a safeguard.

Phys-Ed teachers should also entertain to their students the possibility that cushioned running shoes are not for youth and that these shoes are a recipe for trouble for the developing foot. Similarly, scientific accounts of the origin of running injuries is based on footwear.

We now know that runners are not immune to injury in thick cushioned running shoes. The best antidote to construct superb forefoot running biomechanics is adhering to barefoot conditions (i.e. going barefoot and running in ultra minimalist running shoes) because it minimizes the odds of mechanical misbehaviors.


More From Run Forefoot:

Why Stance Time is Longer in Heel Strikers

Barefoot Running on Pavement Could Help Forefoot Runners Develop Better Technique

Less Impact at Faster Paces

Learning Forefoot Running in Barefoot Shoes: How Long Does it Take?

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References:

Lindstrom, S. Alberto Salazar.Track & Field News, 2011;64(6):32-33.

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.
Bretta Riches

P.S. Don't forget to check out the Run Forefoot Facebook Page, it's a terrific place to ask questions about forefoot running, barefoot running and injury. I'm always happy to help!

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