Heel strike running was found to increase rapid contractions in the anterior tibialis (the muscle that runs down the front of the shin) which was found to be a risk factor for shin splints as compared with forefoot running.
High impact running comes at an economical cost. By impact standards, heel strike running is a significantly more force-intensive style of running than forefoot running whereby according to some research, high impact demands more vigorous muscle tuning response to attenuate shock (a process that requires energy). Simply put, high impacts (like in heel strike running) drains energy from the system whereas stark decreases in impact (like in forefoot running) enhances running economy.
One of the many reasons heel strike running is bad for the lower leg is because its the only running style that causes chronic exertional compartment sydnrome which occurs when impact becomes so high during running that it causes intramuscular pressure in the lower leg to rise to pain-inducing levels. This condition was found to be fully resolved with forefoot running.
What is the proper way to run? Heel strike or forefoot strike?
Before I discovered forefoot running, I was a heel strike runner, but my problem with heel striking was my long list of injuries that just would not go away. I tried everything: buying thicker cushioned running shoes to running on softer surfaces, such as a treadmill or grass, but none of this worked.
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