Foot strike strongly influences shin injury in running whereby forefoot running has been proven to do a better job at reducing opposing forces on the shins while improving shin angle at landing as compared with heel strike running, which is shaping up to be the foot strike most damaging to the shins!
Forefoot running, especially at faster speeds, was found to be the best at reducing all risk factors for shin splints vs heel strike running.
Barefoot running was found to prevent fatiguing muscle contractions and muscle activation from rising to pain and injury predisposing levels in the shins as compared with thick cushioned running shoes, which were found to make the shins work harder, while enduring more compressive forces linked to shin splints and fracture!
Because of the high injury rates, many injured heel strike runners are looking to forefoot running because consistent with the research, forefoot running naturally engages additional mechanical outputs that do a better job at sustainably reducing net forces not just on the shins, but also the knees, hips and lower back than heel strike running.
Barefoot running actually prevents shin splints, overall, by enhancing the proper forefoot strike that’s more stable and less impact-intensive. However, temporary shin splints may arise in newbie barefoot runners simply because their leg strength is unconditioned, but the shin splints will fully resolve as soon as the legs adapt to the new running condition.
One of the many ways barefoot running prevents shin splints is by making the foot better at holding more firm during stance, which prevents straining misalignments of the shin.
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