Why Natural running? Why NOT heel strike?

I'm about to give a whole bunch of reasons WHY you should transition to natural running(forefoot landing below center of mass, light fast cadence, etc.). I've yet to hear a good argument for heel striking, but I'm looking forward to someone trying because, let's face it, I like to debate!! But until that day, here are some reasons that demonstrate why its worthwhile for every runner at every level to take a step back and analyze what they're doing!

Natural Running is a descriptive term used to describe a group of body mechanics that are associated with the way humans run on natural surfaces without shoes and/or clothes for that matter, if you are so inclined to take it that far. The idea isn't actually to always run barefoot, considering that most of our running is done on an un-natural surface such as concrete or asphalt, but to learn the body mechanics that naturally take place when we remove our shoes. With a little youtube research you can easily see for yourself how much smoother and lighter runners look once this is achieved. And the proof is in the pudding, once you get the hang of it, the feeling of running is absolutely unreal!!!

Critics of this re-evolution will say that the impact forces are simply redistributed to other areas of the body. This was proved incorrect in Dr. Daniel Lieberman's 2010 Harvard study where runners impact forces were measured on a strike plate, both with and without shoes. The specific data can be found online but essentially he proved that the human foot and leg is designed to work like a spring, loading energy on touch down and returning the energy back through the toe off. We call this elastic recoil and it can be very easily demonstrated by jumping rope or simply jumping up and down lightly in place. This is the natural action of the lower body and how it can return energy. Lieberman's study showed that landing on the heel while running had similar impact forces as hitting yourself on the heel with a hammer over and over, while the runners landing on the forefoot, essentially, had no impact transient, which means the foot and leg somehow dissipate the energy before it is transferred, and lost, into the ground.

The reason the foot landing is important in running is because of the relation to the center of mass. Each different action we do throughout the day requires different relationships between the bodies working parts to one another to maintain balance and carry out the function efficiently. In walking, because the action is slow and no inertia is being created, the movement is initiated with the reaching of the leg. Because the body stays upright, the heel comes down first. With running we are adding speed and using gravity to help propel us forward. This is demonstrated clearly in sprinters who use the forward lean to achieve their max velocity as fast as possible. Falling forward and harnessing that energy is the ticket to actually running, as opposed to the common jog which is nothing more than a quick glorified walking movement. So when the body falls forward from standing, one leg has to lift in order to place the foot back under the center of mass to prevent a face plant. The lift is generated from the hip flexor and core working to bring the knee up. When the foot lands, the forefoot, or metartarsal arch, lands first, slowly lowers the heel to touch, then pushes back off through the forefoot. Energy is dissipated, loaded and returned to relaunch the leg for another go!

Good stuff and, when you get it going, it feels great! The ticket is more that the foot wont cause breaking forces as it does with the heal striking gait because the leg isn't making contact in front of the body. This breaking force is the main cause, because of the impact transferring up the kinetic chain, of most running associated injuries. Illiotibial Band Syndrome, plantar fasciitis and shin splints are any easy cure once you get off the heel.

The transition takes months and the achilles tendon and calf muscle group need time to adjust to the extra travel and movement that will be required of them. Some people feel calf soreness or push too hard and cause an achilles injury and quit. Let me assure you, as someone who pushed a bit too fast and gave myself achilles tendonitis, if you make the transition it will make you a better runner. Take it slow, reduce your mileage and trust that you'll get there, just like in the marathon! It's the best thing I have ever done for my running, and I wasn't even looking for a change!