Toe-striking is preferable for sprinters since they want to spend as little time on the ground as possible. Plus, sprinters are starting from a crouched position which forces them to toe-strike initially.
For casual running, toe-striking places more pressure on the calves. The calves are a smaller muscle group compared to your glutes, hips, quads, and hamstrings (which can absorb more impact).
If you toe-strike and you’re pain-free, then there’s no problem with it. If, however, you’re feeling pain and want to change your foot strike position, do so very slowly (over a few weeks with reduced speed). Any changes to foot position introduces the use of new muscles in the feet that are not used to that type of impact.
I prefer to toe-strike to reduce knee and hip impact. Is this a bad idea?
Toe-striking is preferable for sprinters since they want to spend as little time on the ground as possible. Plus, sprinters are starting from a crouched position which forces them to toe-strike initially.
For casual running, toe-striking places more pressure on the calves. The calves are a smaller muscle group compared to your glutes, hips, quads, and hamstrings (which can absorb more impact).
If you toe-strike and you’re pain-free, then there’s no problem with it. If, however, you’re feeling pain and want to change your foot strike position, do so very slowly (over a few weeks with reduced speed). Any changes to foot position introduces the use of new muscles in the feet that are not used to that type of impact.
Thanks. I used to tumble, so my calves and Achilles are pretty robust. Having an extra hinge to spring from improves comfort.
Not in my experience, which is substantial, but perhaps specific to me.