In looking at the definitive connection between heel strike running and chronic exertional compartment syndrome, the picture above shows a heel strike runner using ankle dorsiflexion at touchdown to heel strike, as indicated by the red arrow. At touchdown in heel strike running, in order for the heel to make initial ground-contact, the forefoot lifts up (ankle dorsiflexion) upon and at touchdown. This landing configuration was found to rapidly retched up mechanical stress on the shins and trigger intensive bursts in muscle activation in the dorsiflexors of the foot, especially over longer running distances and at faster running speeds. Collectively, this results in increases in intramuscular pressure that exceed normal and may be a significant contributor to chronic exertional compartment syndrome. Read more here!
Heel Strike Running and Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome
