Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Forefoot vs. Rearfoot Running

There has been a lot of talk out there about different running techniques and we are constantly on the look out for the most efficient gait pattern. This month Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, the Official Journal of The American College of Sports Medicine provided a bit more clarity. 

The American College of Sports Medicine just completed a study that looked back at injury rates in competitive college long and moderate distance runners. They compared injuries in rearfoot versus forefoot runners and found higher stress injuries in the runners that hit the ground with the rearfoot. 

With rearfoot running, the knee is in a straighter position when the foot hits the ground and a greater ground reaction force is carried up the leg. Forefoot running requires increased flexion at the knee at the moment of ground contact and provides a built in shock absorber. 
                                                           

Traumatic injuries were not significantly different in the two groups as a whole. 74% of the runners in both groups experienced a moderate or severe injury over the year. 

You can find the article at :

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2 comments:

  1. AnonymousFebruary 21, 2012 at 9:50 PM

    Great article!!

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  2. AnonymousMarch 13, 2015 at 8:41 AM

    Kristi, you read my mind! I was just thinking about running form this morning as I think I need to improve my foot strike to a more forefoot strike. I wrote a recent blog on running and the pelvic floor that you may be interested in with your women's health background. You can check it out here: http://jessicarealept.com/2015/02/12/tbt-is-running-bad-for-a-womans-pelvic-floor/ Keep up the great posts! :)

    All my best,

    Jessica Reale, PT, DPT, WCS

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