Forefoot vs. Rear Foot Striking | Inside Salomon

Salomon biomechanists Dr. Simon Bartold and Dr. Marlene Giandolini discuss the debate over forefoot and rear foot striking in your running stride. Plus, get their thoughts on how altering your training can help prevent some of the injuries that come with the repetitive motion of running.

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[craigcalzaretta]

I feel like if I try to run across a lawn barefoot (or on a treadmill, beach - anywhere, really) I can't heel strike. It seems like only the invention of the cushioned sole allows for heel striking which leads me to think that a more mid to forefoot strike is more what we are designed to do. Switching has been a big help. Heel striking gave me a lot of problems in my lower back. Mid-foot striking has increased my stride rate to the sweet spot of 180 per minute and allows me a more relaxed posture and smoother stride.

[TriRussell]

Wouldn't always be better to transfer dynamic or impact load to a muscle because that is the job of a muscle, instead of to a joint or bones since bones and joint are better at static loads? I'm an engineer so I am looking at this as an engineering issue instead of biomechanical only.

[thekeenester]

Really helpful. Been really critical of my rear foot striking lately, good to know there are balanced opinions out there!

[Dark_Point]

If you have been running a certain way all your life (heel strike, front foot fall) barefoot, naked or whatever, and that works for you with no injuries then don't reinvent the wheel for yourself. It is when the later occurs that you need to conduct some self diagnostic, is it your gait, footwear, have you built in strength and conditioning work to your training. If you look at Emil Zatopek, or Joss Naylor their running styles were, and are anything but text book, yet respectively are legends in their fields of running. They just did something that came naturally, we are very much victims of over complicating our passions.

[maximedelaby]

And at this moment we are still waiting for a minimalist/barefoot type shoes from salomon.

[OnceUponaSaga]

“Repetitive load is the great enemy of the runner” 🤔👍
#SagaBingeWatchingSalomonTV

[mathewsteward]

poor video. It's all about momentum heel strike causes shockwaves up your spine and back that most likely lead to to injury, shine splints ect. Every heel striker can be trained to be dynamic mid-fore front striker, try leaning forward from the ankles and using gravity to your advantage rather than fighting gravity.

[ManlyBeachRunningClub]

I recommend forefoot all the way peeps :-)

[NikosWolfman]

I first fell in love with the blonde ...
...being back.

[jayaychare]

dont change your running style from heel strikes as we wont have any big cushioned shoes to sell you