We’ve taken a look at a number of different studies that pitted forefoot strike running patterns vs. rearfoot strike patterns, and barefoot vs. shod runners in an effort to get a better understanding of the safest running techniques, but what if the sound you make when you run could help predict your injury likelihood? Researchers out of Australia say that is in fact the case.
According to researchers, the sounds your feet make when they strike the ground when running could help give us feedback and help prevent injuries. For their study, researchers decided to see if strike patterns and sounds increased or decreased the likelihood of suffering an injury to the knee or ankle. The reason they looked at these two areas of the body is that these locations account for roughly two-thirds of all running-related injuries. There is also evidence that a rearfoot strike pattern is more commonly associated with knee injuries, while a forefoot strike pattern has a higher tendency to result in an ankle injury.
Sound Of Foot Strikes
Researchers also examined the sounds of running when asking participants to “run quieter.” The team found that when patients were asked to run quieter, the maximum forces exerted on the foot were decreased. Because shin splints are common occurrences when the foot is overloaded through repetitive overexertion on the ground, researchers concluded that running “quietly” may reduce you risk of shin splints.
The most interesting point from the study was that when participants were asked to run quietly, roughly 85 percent of the runners using a rearfoot strike technique transitioned to a midfoot or forefoot strike pattern, suggesting that a rearfoot strike may be associated with louder impact sounds.
There are two takeaways from this study. For starters, it appears that we can reduce our likelihood of a running injury by running lighter and quieter on our feet. Secondly, we can use the sound our feet make when we’re running as feedback to how we’re running. If you’re tired and making louder noises, cut the run short or make it a point to be quieter on your feet.