Why do different foot strikes matter?

Why do different foot strikes matter?

Why do different foot strikes matter?

Why do different foot strikes matter? Derek H. Kim DPT

Daniel Lieberman’s study on the difference between heel striking and forefoot striking shows why a large collision is generated when heel striking and why such a small collision is generated when forefoot striking.

In heel striking, the collision of the heel with the ground generates a significant impact transient, a nearly instantaneous, large force. This force sends a shock wave up through the body via the skeletal system. In forefoot striking, the collision of the forefoot with the ground generates a very minimal impact force with no impact transient.

Therefore, quite simply, a runner can avoid experiencing the large impact force by forefoot striking properly. (Daniel Lieberman et al.)

Heel strikes and Ground reaction force  V.S. Forefoot Strikes and Ground Reaction Force

(http://www.barefootrunning.fas.harvard.edu)

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