In a forefoot strike landing, shown above, the center of pressure begins at the forefoot, under the 4th and 5th toes, and ends at the heel, after heel contact, helping to even out impact to the extent where pressure loads are prevented from spilling onto the shins. Most notably, knowing all of this presents a fresh take on how forefoot running prevents foot and shin injury! This is not the case in toe strike running which involves landing high up on the toes without letting the heel drop. This prevents the pressure at the forefoot from spreading out evenly over the foot, and is a major risk factor for severe foot and lower leg injury. 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)
- Cushioned Running Shoes Found to Be Bad for Ankles - 23/04/2024
- Forefoot Running and Achilles Pain - 19/04/2024
- Does Foot Strike Really Matter in Running? YES! - 17/04/2024