Should You Run Heel to Toe or Toe to Heel: What the Research Said
New research from La Trobe University suggests there is no evidence that changing a runner’s strike pattern will help prevent injuries or give them a speed boost.
However, in research out this week in Sports Medicine, La Trobe injury researcher and physiotherapist Dr Christian Barton found there is no evidence to suggest running on the front of your feet reduces injury risk or improves performance.
“We analysed 53 studies which looked at the impact of forefoot, rearfoot and flatfoot running patterns on injury, running economy and running biomechanics,” senior author of the study, Dr Barton said
“Our comprehensive review suggests that telling someone to run on the ball of their foot instead of their heel may make them less efficient, at least in the short term. Additionally, there is no evidence either way on whether running on the balls of your feet reduces injury.”
Dr Barton said switching your running style shifts the body’s loads but doesn’t make them disappear.
“Running toe-heel might help injuries at the knee, where loads are reduced. However, it may cause injuries to the feet and ankle, where loads are increased,” Dr Barton said.
“Put simply, when it comes to running style: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
The research is led by the La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre and La Trobe’s School of Podiatry.
Contacts and sources:
Dragana Mrkaja
La Trobe University
Citation: What are the Benefits and Risks Associated with Changing Foot Strike Pattern During Running? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Injury, Running Economy, and Biomechanics. Laura M. Anderson, Daniel R. Bonanno, Harvi F. Hart, Christian J. Barton. Sports Medicine, 2019; DOI: 10.1007/s40279-019-01238-y
Source:
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Running on the forefoot saves your brain from repetitive little shocks that will have a cumulative effect over time.
If you run flat-footed, you’d be better off riding a bike. If your heel strikes the ground first you’re not running – you’re walking fast.