Here's some news that might be helpful for both long-time runners and those thinking about changing up their habits in the new year. Scientists have recently found evidence This is because the thickness of the heel of the shoe can affect the risk of injury.
Researchers from the University of Florida conducted the study. The aim is to better understand the risk factors that lead to running injuries. They found that people who wore thicker shoes were more likely to have suffered a recent running injury. The researchers said that thicker shoes would make it harder for people to measure how their feet hit the ground while running. This is a discrepancy that can lead to injury.
Some studies indicate both. thickness of our shoes and how our Feet fall on the floor Our foot strikes (also known as our foot strike pattern) can be a risk factor for running injuries. But researchers at the UF Health Sports Performance Center wanted to better understand how the two might interact to make running riskier, so they went back and looked at data collected from more than 700 runners. People who have visited the clinic over the years to improve performance or the opportunity to prevent injury
After considering factors such as age, weight or competitiveness level, The researchers also noticed several consistent trends. People who wore shoes with thicker soles were more likely to suffer a running injury in the past 6 months. And they were less able to accurately predict their own foot strike patterns. (Runners were asked about their usual running patterns. Then give Run to measure results at the clinic)
When running, people hit the ground with the back, front, or middle of their feet. Researchers found that non-backward runners who knew their running form correctly Those who did not know their running style were the least likely to have been injured recently, while those who did not know their running style were the most likely to have been injured. Meanwhile Backfoot runners often miscalculate their form. This is especially true if they wear shoes with thicker heels. The team's research found that published Last month in the journal The frontier of sports and active living–
The results only showed a relationship between heel thickness and running injuries. And it's unclear whether heel thickness directly increases injury risk. Like any aspect of running, it tends to be complicated. research It has been shown that running on the front foot is better for health or helps prevent injuries than running on the back foot, for example. Other research cannot
It may be that the best way to prevent running injuries depends heavily on the individual runner. Although thicker shoes may not directly increase the risk of injury, But it can also make it harder for people to know what running style will suit them best in the long run.
“The shoe is between the foot and the ground. and features like a large heel-to-toe drop. This makes it more difficult for runners to determine how they hit the ground. That shapes how we retrain people or determine if someone is at risk for future injury,” said lead researcher Heather Vincent, director of UF's Health Sports Performance Center. statement. “Runners who correctly detect mid or foot attack have very different shoes: a lower heel-to-toe drop, a lighter, wider toe box.”
UF researchers say trying to switch to another style of shoe or running too fast can increase your risk of injury. This pattern held true in the current study. Because people who have recently changed their shoes are more likely to report recent injuries, major changes to your running should be made gradually, Vincent notes.
“I had to teach myself to take off my big high heels. Let's use one that has more moderate cushioning. and practice strengthening the feet,” she says. “It can take up to six months for it to feel natural. It's a process.”
Vincent and her team plan to conduct a controlled study to test whether changing shoe types can help improve the accuracy of people's running styles and reduce injury risk. And from that point They may have discovered the best way to treat injuries for all types of runners.