Why Heel Strike Running is So Bad for Your Legs

Why Heel Strike Running is So Bad for Your Legs

Running with extertional compartment syndrome means running with a heel strike, which increases brake force on the leg, leading to chronic lower leg pain. What’s the solution? Luckily, forefoot running immediately reduces intramuscular leg pressure, which prevents chronic calf pain.

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