Running on the Treadmill, Not Such a Great Idea

I always feel a little unstable running on the treadmill as compared with running outside, because of this, I much prefer to run outside. And, treadmill running was also the first to go when I began learning forefoot running because it just makes sense to run on a more stable surface, not a moving belt, when you are learning a new running technique. In opinion, you are better off learning forefoot running overground, and the research is in agreement with this, too.

Running on the Treadmill, Not Such a Great Idea

Running on the Treadmill, Not Such a Great Idea

Early research shows that there are biomechanical differences between treadmill running and overground running, and these differences, particularly those pertaining to treadmill running, may have injury implications and negative effects on performance as well.

It is well documented that treadmill running changes many biomechanical parameters, such as changes in stride frequency, contact time duration (which is the length of time the feet spend on the ground during the stance of running), as well as ankle, knee and hip kinematics, muscular activity, energy expenditure, shock attenuation, and plantar pressure –all of these may differ substantially between running on a treadmill and running outside. But, why do these biomechanical changes arise when you run on a treadmill?

In my opinion, it comes down to the fact that the treadmill is an unnatural entity for human running. And, in addition to altering biomechanics, treadmill running changes shock distribution in the foot and this is because the runner is trying to reach a stable, safe running pattern on the treadmill, and balance impairments arise as the speed of the moving belt on the treadmill increases, but these force pressure changes in the foot are not as apparent when running outside –because the ground is not moving.

Longer Ground-Contact Time When Fatigued

Garcia-Perez et al., investigated the effects of treadmill running on plantar pressure in fatigued runners and found that ground-contact time was longer on the treadmill than in overground running.

In general, biomechanics become altered when a runner fatigues and high fatigue correlates to longer ground-contact time and low stride frequency:

  • tired legs when running cause the feet to spend more time on the ground which increases impact and joint loading

The feet must spend more time in the air (increased flight phase) to lessen impact as well as the likelihood of some injuries.

East African Runners Don’t Run on Treadmills

As far as I know, most East African runners train outside and they do the majority of their running on a track or in wooded areas where the terrain is very uneven, which gives you better ankle strength. I’d rather train like they do, since they are the best runners in the world.

Overall, little research has been done on the influence of treadmill running on injury prevention in runners.

In my opinion however, there is something about running on a treadmill that seems unnatural and it would not surprise me if treadmill running contributes to injury to some degree.  And by the way, East African runners don’t run on treadmills either,  just saying.

More From Run Forefoot:

Why Barefoot Running Is Really Important

Eating Healthier for Running

Performance Benefits of Forefoot Running

When Humans Started Running

Run Forefoot Because You Are Faster Than You Think!


References:

Bobbert, MF., Yeadon, MR and Nigg, BM. Mechanical analysis of the landing phase in heel-toe running. J Biomech, 1992; 25(3):223-34.

Garcai-Perez et al. Effect of overground vs treadmill running on plantar pressure: influence of fatigue. Gait Posture, 2013: 38(4):929-33.

Wank, V., Frick, U and Schmidtbleicher, D. Kinematics and electromyography of lower limb muscles in overground and treadmill running. Int J Sports Med, 1998; 19(7):455-61.

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

P.S. Don't forget to check out the Run Forefoot Facebook Page, it's a terrific place to ask questions about forefoot running, barefoot running and injury. I'm always happy to help!

1 Comment

  1. Hi Bretta,
    I discovered your videos and website only recently and still have a lot of reading/watching to do but I am very interested in the treadmill issue.
    Is there anything more recent around this?

    A little history on myself first – due to decades or martial arts practice I have done the vast bulk of my running barefoot – inside – on mats of some kind. I think I naturally run forefoot as I have recently started doing more running. Going to a set of Vibrams and running has not required much thought and little in the way of injury/pain during the transition.

    However – for convenience I have been doing most of my running on a treadmill and had concerns/thoughts whether this was a good or bad thing. Since my previous running was warm-ups or interval training, this move to longer distances for cardio is new to me and I’m working to add distance.

    I did get a touch of knee pain post run – but I saw your posts about keeping knees slightly flexed and this has helped a lot. I also naturally felt more comfortable at higher speeds too, rather than a plodding jog.

    I’m still working to find the best feeling cadence/stride at the speed I’m using and have just read your posts on posture that I will work on.

    So – is what I’m doing OK or is the treadmill a detriment that could lead to problems further down the track?

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