Reversing the Mismatch With Forefoot Striking to Reduce Running Injuries
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 5285937 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Irene S Davis (0000-0002-0139-1379, Harvard University, corresponding author), Tony Lin-Wei Chen, Tony Lin‐wei Chen (0000-0003-0737-0859, Hong Kong Polytechnic University), Scott C Wearing, Scott Wearing (0000-0002-3970-369X, Queensland University of Technology) |
| Year | 2022 |
| Volume | 4 |
| Pages | 794005-794005 |
| Publication date | 2022-05-19 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Frontiers in Sports and Active Living (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2624-9367 • E-ISSN: 2624-9367 |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3389/fspor.2022.794005 |
| PMID | 35663502 |
| OpenAlex | W4280500299 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 86 |
Recent studies have suggested that 95% of modern runners land with a rearfoot strike (RFS) pattern. However, we hypothesize that running with an RFS pattern is indicative of an evolutionary mismatch that can lead to musculoskeletal injury. This perspective is predicated on the notion that our ancestors evolved to run barefoot and primarily with a forefoot strike (FFS) pattern. We contend that structures of the foot and ankle are optimized for forefoot striking which likely led to this pattern in our barefoot state. We propose that the evolutionary mismatch today has been driven by modern footwear that has altered our footstrike pattern. In this paper, we review the differences in foot and ankle function during both a RFS and FFS running pattern. This is followed by a discussion of the interaction of footstrike and footwear on running mechanics. We present evidence supporting the benefits of forefoot striking with respect to common running injuries such as anterior compartment syndrome and patellofemoral pain syndrome. We review the importance of a gradual shift to FFS running to reduce transition-related injuries. In sum, we will make an evidence-based argument for the use of minimal footwear with a FFS pattern to optimize foot strength and function, minimize ground reaction force impacts and reduce injury risk
Ankle · Ankle injury · Barefoot · Foot (prosody · Forefoot · Ground reaction force · Physical medicine and rehabilitation · Physical therapy · Physics · Computer Science · Foot and Ankle Surgery · Lower Extremity Biomechanics and Pathologies · Medicine · Sports injuries and prevention · Anatomy · Surgery
| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,33 |
| Citation span | 2023 - 2023 (1) |
| Citation velocity | historical |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |