A recent
article out of Pennsylvania State University kinesiology
research shows that sprinters and
non-sprinters have measurable differences in their foot structure and the
muscles affecting them. With a
relatively small sample size, 16 runners, they compared MRI images to find
shorter Achilles tendons and longer ‘big toe’ bones on average in sprinters
than in non- sprinter runners. The men
examined in the study were all active athletes of several years duration. The rational of a more efficient lever arm because
of these findings is interesting for kinesiologists, but somewhat misleading
from our point of view.
Shortening of
the Achilles tendon may contribute to greater speed in competitive sprinters,
but it can have detrimental
effects in the long term. The
metatarsals are the long bones behind your toes that take up a good portion of
your foot. They do create a lever action where they meet the toes during normal
heel to toe walking or running. When
instead, as in sprinting or wearing high heels, they take the full force of
your body weight on one leg problems can occur. It is true that the tendons and
muscles transfer the force through your foot and up your leg as the barefoot
philosophy relates. Unfortunately, without carefully building up the muscles or
bone tolerance, fractures can and often do occur. Spending too much time on
your toes either in heels or while running can lead to stress
fractures or actual breaks in your metatarsals
This isn’t to
say that sprinting or barefoot
running doesn’t have a place in your running regime. Implementing these things as a part of your
running routine can help to diversify and build on your abilities. We strongly
encourage you to implement a variety of stretching
techniques to keep any of your leg muscles from become tight or
contracted. It is a good idea to see
your Austin podiatrist to
address any concerns or problems with your running regime. Be sure to slowly introduce changes to your
running regime and limit the amount of time you spend on the balls of your feet.
