Running Yourself into the Ground?

Running is the simplest and most straightforward form of exercise for anyone wanting to break sweat.
Some run because it keeps them fit and healthy while others simply want to be able to fit into a tighter pair of jeans.
Plus there’s no need to spend £35 per month on going to the gym.
But many are naïve to the potentially damaging effects of regularly running, especially with certain techniques and when wearing inappropriate footwear.
As a result specialist footwear and insoles have been designed to counteract the specific stresses and strains.
Scholl is the UK’s leading foot care supplier and they believe the insoles they produce, which are simply inserted into trainers, can make a real difference.
“Our biomechanics orthotic range alter the position and motion of the foot and affect the way in which the forces of walking and running are distributed.
“This helps reduce heel and knee pain,” a spokesperson for Scholl explained. “Some people may notice a change in the position of their foot and leg, while others may simply feel the changes in the forces that lead to the pain.”
The pain that running can cause the body seems to stem from the various running techniques that people perform, notably when applying pressure from your heel to your toe. This specific technique is seemingly the most common, but also can be the most damaging.
Rick Morris, sports journalist for the website Running Planet, explains the causes of many running injuries.
“The heel first technique generates a lot of stress on your ankles, knees, hips and lower back. Athletes are therefore much more likely to suffer from a variety of running injuries when you use a heel first landing compared to running from your toe to heel or flat footed,” he said.
A common consequence of this running method is shin splints, which is the term used to describe pain at the front of the lower leg and is an injury many professional sportsmen often suffer from.
Former England footballer Kieron Dyer is a prime example as he has had his once promising career blighted with constant shin splint problems.
So how does this injury develop?
Planting your heel first and then onto your toes causes your shin muscles to strongly activate in an attempt to keep the front of your foot from slapping down. The high amount of pressure also leads to excessive stress on deeper shin muscles that act to prevent the rolling of your foot. It is that excessive stress on your lower leg muscles that cause shin splints.
Therefore, it is absolutely vital to wear suitable footwear when exercising.
Iron man competitor and marathon runner Dom Dalton is well aware of the benefits of using the right equipment.
“Wearing the right running shoes is really important for me, especially when running long distances,” the 22-year-old explained.
After all, Dom should know having completed the Iron Man Triathlon last year in a time of just over 13 hours. That may seem like a long time to complete an event, but he did have to swim 2.5 miles, cycle 112 miles, and most importantly run 26 miles.
“Comfort while running enables you to relax and actually enjoy the run, which make a huge difference to training and can make a huge difference to your performance.
“Being relaxed and not tense in your running style also really helps prevent injury,” the University of Durham graduate explained. “Personally, I run from my heel to my toe as it helps me maintain rhythm.”
The correct footwear can therefore actually improve performance, as well as help avoid serious injury.
Meanwhile, the specialist shoe manufacturer Masai Barefoot Technology (MBT), believe the development in footwear technology has been a real success. Although more suitable for walking than running, the fundamental principles of trying to reduce the stress and strain on your feet and leg are the same. Their trainers are also designed to help posture, tone and activate muscles, and also burn more calories. The information they release to the media reveals that a study by Stanford University showed a 63% decrease in knee joint loading in those wearing MBT shoes.
So the proof is in the science.
Furthermore, it is encouraging that people are seemingly becoming more aware of potential side effects of running techniques such as heel to toe, toe to heel, or even flat footed.
This greater awareness is a point echoed by Phil Elphick, manager of the sport equipment retailer ‘No Limitz’ in Bedford, who sells specialist footwear like MBT shoes.
“People are getting more and more conscious of how important it is to wear the correct footwear.
“The MBT shoes, in particular, are very comfortable and ideal for people with joint pains,” Elphick explained.
“You don’t understand how good they are until you try them on yourself. You can feel the difference instantly,” he added.
Changing your running style is something that would firstly be difficult, secondly very inconvenient, and thirdly just awkward. It will therefore be pleasing for many runners to know that simply purchasing suitable footwear can be enough to counteract the harm that running can do to your body.
Whether or not that is a sparkling new pair of trainers, or simply some insoles to deal with flat or high-arched feet, does not matter.
Take the time and care to purchase what you need and you can go for your run fully focused on simply lasting its duration.

This article is also be available at http://asktheexperts.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=154&Itemid=211

Image from: Skill Builders.com