Running is one of the most common forms of exercise, but many of us have rarely noticed or simply don’t know that incorrect running methods or postures can lead to problems such as “calf bulges,” “calf thickening,” and even cervical spine issues.
Common incorrect postures:
1. Landing on the entire foot. When you land on your whole foot while running, it’s easy to cause a heavy landing, which may lead to shin splints, and prolonged impact can even result in bowed legs (O-shaped legs).
2. Landing on the toes. When you land on the balls of your feet while running, it strongly stimulates the calf muscles, and over time this can cause the calves to thicken, leading to “calf thickening.”
3. Pigeon-toed or duck-footed posture. This can easily lead to injuries in the knee joint and other areas, and may also result in X-shaped or O-shaped legs.
4. Excessive forward or backward lean. Leaning too far forward while running can strain the back, while leaning backward can cause excessive tension in the chest and abdominal muscles, which over time may lead to shoulder, neck, and back abnormalities.
Other things to keep in mind:
Choose a suitable place to run and avoid running on overly hard surfaces;
Wear lightweight, comfortable, and elastic running shoes; it’s best to choose professional running shoes;
Warm up before exercising and do stretching and cool-down exercises afterward.