When it comes to learning forefoot running, my recommendation is to run barefoot on pavement. When learning forefoot running, running barefoot on pavement is better because it produces greater sensations of discomfort if you land on your heel. As a result, you are more likely to land properly on your forefoot and avoid heel strike to achieve greater landing comfort.
Part of the reason why running barefoot on grass is a problem to a beginner forefoot runner is that it makes landing on the heel more comfortable. However, even though there’s a feeling of comfort when you heel strike on softer surfaces, the heel strike-transient is still present, which is related to a high incidence of running-related injuries. Therefore, you are going to have the best advantage of developing a safe forefoot strike landing if you run barefoot on pavement, and here is some research to back this up.
Why Running Barefoot on Pavement is Better than Grass
The findings of a recent study provided evidence for the idea that running barefoot on pavement is the best strategy to avoid heel strike.
The problem with learning forefoot running by running barefoot on softer surfaces such as grass, and especially if the learner was a shod heel striker, is that surface softness makes it easier or comfortable to maintain heel strike.
Conversely, running barefoot on pavement makes it easier to discourage heel strike as the lack of cushioning in the heel pad causes heel strike to feel relatively painful.
- Recent work suggests that increased heel height of the standard running shoe may not be the only source for causing heel strike when running. The surface type of which a runner runs on may also affect foot strike behavior.
For instance, Gruber et al., (2013) found that heel striking was maintained when habitual heel strikers ran barefoot on a soft, matted surface. However, more than half of the participants adopted a forefoot strike when they ran on harder surfaces.
The researchers concluded that habitual heel strikers are more inclined to make the unconscious choice to adopt a forefoot strike when running barefoot on hard surfaces.
Our Ancestors Weren’t Really Running on Soft Surfaces
Even though our ancestors were not running on pavement, you have to remember that the surface of which they ran barefoot on was relatively hard (hard dirt, rock etc) and not soft and plush like well-manicured grass.
The findings also reinforce the recommendations from Dr. Lieberman and Christopher McDougall, both suggest running barefoot on pavement is the best way to learn to interact lightly and safely with the ground and therefore prevent heel strike.
Bottom line, running barefoot on pavement produces a greater pain stimulus that is sufficient enough to enforce adjustments in foot fall patterns.
More For You From Run Forefoot:
- Great Barefoot Running Reads
- Vibram Five Fingers Linked to Relieving Back Pain
- 2 Forces in Heel Strike Running that are Eliminated with Forefoot Running
- Heel Striking is to Blame for Running Injuries
- Best Shoes that Feel Barefoot
References: De Wit et al. Biomechanical analysis of the stance phase during barefoot and shod running. J Biomech, 2000;33 (3):269–70.
Dover et al. Mechanical comparison of barefoot in shod running. Int J Sports Med, 2005; 26(7):593–98.
Gurner et al. Footfall patterns during barefoot running on harder and softer surfaces. Footwear Sci, 2013; 5(1):39–44.
Hamill et al. Impact characteristics in shod and barefoot running. Footwear Sci, 2011, 3(1):33–40.
I have always used the forefoot running technique while running with running shoes, but for a 200 lb man like myself, wouldn’t it be a little too hard on my legs to do that same technique on pavement barefoot without easing into it?
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