Every expert seems to have a theory as to why someone hurts themselves running. Avoiding running injuries should be everyone's goal. There are some who insist that running is the cause of injury, while others have attempted to explain it as a result of the impact, running style, heel striking as well. The problem is, there are no studies that conclusively prove any of these is the reason why runners get injured. As a healthcare provider who has worked track and field for 26 plus years, my opinion has to do with the impact on the tissues as well as how we have adapted over time. One runner recently decided to completely change his running style with the help of a coach. He is modifying his running style and his running shoes and then he developed other problems afterward. We are all built differently and one size does not fit all with regards to running. Change too fast and injuries occur. Now a study according to the NY Times confirms that too much change too fast will cause injuries. When we do change our running style, it takes time for the body to adjust. The same can be said of increasing pace, stride, radically different shoes as well. Change is not just about muscles, but also about neuroplasticity and how the brain memorizes this. Also, the fascial system must also adjust as well as your level of conditioning. These changes in an older adult can take months so slow changes are better. Check out the article below To Avoid Running Injuries, Don’t Shake Up Your Routine Too Much Runners who made eight or more changes to their running routines were at high risk of injury, especially if they were feeling stressed. by Gretchen Reynolds Published June 30, 2021 According to a new study of how runners hurt themselves during last year’s Covid-related lockdowns, to avoid injuries, runners should try not to change their running routines too much or too quickly. And as we emerge from pandemic restrictions, sticking with your regular exercise habits may be especially important if you are still feeling lonely, anxious or otherwise discombobulated. Stress, isolation, and other common psychological reactions to the pandemic compounded the risks of injury, the study showed, suggesting that our mental states and emotions, and not just our training, may affect whether we wind up sidelined. Most runners are regrettably familiar with the aches, strains, and orthopedic consults that accompany frequent running. More so than in many other recreational sports, including cycling and swimming, runners get hurt. By some estimates, up to two-thirds of runners annually sustain an injury serious enough to lame them for a week or longer. Read more