Running Doesn't Have to be Dangerous

56-80% of Runners are Injured Running. 

After 30 years, the “experts” still haven’t labeled running for what it is. 

Here it is folks, running is dangerous. 

Running can kill you, injure you, or maim you to the point you suffer from chronic pain and dysfunction for the rest of your life. 

There is some good news. There is lots and lots of evidence to suggest running can cause fulfillment, fun, and even better health. That's great news if you can avoid injuring yourself along the way.  

To understand why so many runners are injured. We must explore the complex world of physics and math. We all experience gravitational force. The force of gravity is a constant 9.82m/s. Even though gravitational force is a constant. How it impacts our daily life depends on what we do. 

Take jogging as an example. Research has shown that the impact forces associated with jogging range between 3 and 6 times the gravitational force per foot strike (impact).

Let’s do a quick calculation of the impact forces experienced by the runner during a 5km jog. 

Remember a 5km jog is traditionally considered a beginner running distance. 5km is equal to 5000m. This is where newbie runners with little to no experience start. 

If the runner has a 1.5m stride length. 

5000m/1.5m = 3333.33m

3333.33m/2 legs

They would need to take 1666.7 strides at a 1.5m stride length per leg to complete the distance. 

If the runner weighed 200 lbs. 

Each foot strike would be approximately 600 to 1200 lbs of force (200 lbs x 3-6 G’s). 

Therefore the total force experienced by the jogger over the 5000m distance would be in the neighbourhood of 1,000,020 and 2,000,040 pounds of force.

How’d we get there? 

1666.7 strikes (200 body weight x 3 to 6 G’s)

1,000,020 to 2,000,040 pounds of force per side per 5km.

Now for the scary part. Many other factors would affect the impact of force on the body that I have omitted for the sake of simplicity.

Things like run elevation and terrain changes, wind resistance, body composition and size (fat-to-muscle ratio), bone density, muscle strength, and footwear selection to name a few.

Sprinting has been shown to create loads of 8 to 12 times body weight. 

With this in mind, how do we best prepare runners to tolerate the extreme forces of running?

If you’d like to learn how. 

Join me on Feb 9th at 5 pm for our 90-minute online Isometric Strength Training Master Class. 

During the Master Class, we will give you the insight necessary to navigate the issue of running injuries and many others.

Send brad@isophit.com a message if you’d like to register for the Master Class. 

We have 2 spots remaining.