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Tread Lightly Podcast

99: Does Heel Striking Cause Injury? Myth vs Science on Running Injuries

Jan 18, 2025
32:51

Is heel striking bad? Should you change your running form? You’ve probably heard conflicting answers on your questions about running injuries - so we bring the science to work through myth vs supported theory on running injuries. We also share approaches for actually reducing your injury risk - and these may surprise you. 

Discussion points include:

  • Does heel striking cause injury?
  • Should you change your running form?
  • Do max-cushioned shoes increase injury risk?
  • Did you get injured because you didn’t stretch enough?
  • Can running on concrete cause injury?
  • Will zero drop running shoes reduce injury risk?
  • Can you skip eating before runs?
  • Is strength training protective against injury?
  • What can you do to mitigate injury risk?


This episode is sponsored by Final Surge. Whether you are a running coach or an athlete, start your new year off strong with Final Surge! Final Surge offers training plans for runners of all abilities, as well as a user-friendly platform to track your progress. If you are a coach, Final Surge provides a comprehensive training platform to develop plans and analyze your ath

Go to ⁠⁠https://www.finalsurge.com/ ⁠⁠and use RUNTOTHEFINISH for 10% off your first coaching purchase (monthly or yearly) or RUNTOTHEFINISH for 10% off any training plan purchase. 

References:

  • PMID: 38053265
  • PMID: 29791183
  • PMID: 34386286
  • PMID: 26304644
  • PMID: 22927504
  • https://journals.lww.com/nsca-scj/Abstract/2020/02000/Influence_of_Gait_Retraining_on_Running_Economy__A.3.aspx
  • https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jbmr.4658?af=R
  • https://www.doctorsofrunning.com/2024/01/monday-shakeout-can-running-shoes.html
  • Ryan Norris, Mechanical Engineering PE (on explanation of concrete vs asphalt)


💻 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lauranorrisrunning.com and runtothefinish.com for thousands of free articles on all things running, from training tips to gear reviews. 

🎙️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Please rate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or follow and comment on Spotify. If you enjoyed this episode, please share with a friend! 

👉 Follow us @treadlightlyrunning @runtothefinish and @lauranorrisrunning on Instagram! 


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