Is Chi Running the One Best Way to Run?

July 25, 2012 - PRLog -- There are many different running techniques and forms that runners and use and there is a lot of debate on forums, in social media and at scientific conference about which is the best. Surprising those that promote any one technique over another all consider that there is the best and that the research evidence supports the approach that they take.

Craig Payne, from the Podiatry Arena website, comments that “there is probably nothing wrong with Chi Running as it will probably help some runners. I think that all most of us object to who treat a lot of running injuries and follow the industry is the extraordinary and exaggerated claims by those who promote the pone best way to run. Reading the books on any particular running technique is like reading a book promising the return of the messiah! The constantly misuse and misrepresent and misunderstand the science and make claims that are not supported by the research evidence. I think it is becoming increasingly clear that there is not one best way to run. There is no doubt that some people with a history of injury are now running injury free after taking up Chi running. Equally there are many who have been injured by trying it." (http://www.podiatry-arena.com/podiatry-forum/showthread.p...)

Payne continues, that “what most fail to get is that it is a zero sum game, you can’t reduce the impact at heel contact with the ground when running by trying to midfoot or forefoot strike without muscles contracting harder. The harder contraction of the muscles exposes them the tendons and the joints to a greater chance of injury. The evidence is clear that the injury rates between heel and forefoot strikers are the same, except that they just get different injuries. This applies to Chi running just like any other running technique.” The best advice that runners can be given is that to ignore all the fluff, listen to the evidence and do what is best for you. (http://www.runresearchjunkie.com/category/running-form/ch...)