Shock-Absorbent Running Tracks: How They Reduce Injuries and Improve Speed

Running is a popular form of exercise that has multiple health benefits from cardiovascular improvement to improved mental health. The type of surface runners train on, however, plays an important role both in training performance and in preventing injuries. More traditional surfaces like concrete or asphalt can be tough on the joints and cause damage down the line. Click here for running tracks that absorb shock so that running is a much more productive and safe activity.

This article describes the benefits running tracks offer in terms of injuries reduction, pace improvement and why they are the most preferred option by sportsmen, schools and fitness freak people.

How Running Tracks Are Constructed to Absorb Shocks

Shock-absorbent tracks are made with special materials — rubber, polyurethane or latex — that are a combination of a cushion without energy return. Dissimilar to firm surfaces, these tracks can absorb a significant amount of the impact force that is applied per stride, and decrease stress on joints, tendons, and muscles.

Running on hard surfaces has been shown to increase the risk of developing stress fractures, shin splints and degeneration of the joints. Shock-absorbent tracks, conversely, allow the impact forces to be dispersed throughout the track, instead of through the body. Those tracks’ energy return properties also allow runners to maintain their momentum, speeding them and helping with efficiency.

How Shock-Absorbing Tracks Remain to Minimize Running Injuries

Lower Impact on Joints

The knees, hips and ankles take on a tremendous amount of force with each footstrike. This has an even greater effect on harder surfaces, creating a much higher risk of injury. They reduce ground reaction force by as much as 30% to the foot with potential joint protection from overuse.

Preventing Overuse Injuries

Repeated stress to muscles and tendons can lead to things like Achilles tendinitis and plantar fasciitis. The cushioned feel of shock-absorbent tracks absorbs repeated impact so that runners can go farther without overloading their bodies.

Better Stability And Less Likely To Slip

On numerous high-performance provers, the surface of the track is textured for better grip and to decrease the possibility of a fall. That’s especially helpful in wet weather, when conventional tracks can be deadly slick.

Faster Recovery Times

As shock-absorbent tracks reduce fatigue and microtrauma in muscles, athletes experience less soreness after workouts. This allows for quicker recoveries and more consistent training sessions.

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Lowering the risk of injury is perhaps the greatest benefit, but shock-absorbent tracks can also enhance athletic performance. Here’s how:

Optimal Energy Return

(Rather than absorb an excessive amount of energy, as soft machinating surfaces, including sand or grass, do, shock-absorbent tracks impart cushioning and rebound.) It shortens the energy expenditure needed by runners to stay at the same speed, delivering better performance.

Improved Running Economy

Running economy is the amount of oxygen used by a runner at a specific speed. According to research conducted, running on compliant surfaces enhances biomechanics, reduces additional energy expenditure and helps athletes to sustain high speeds over the longer duration.

The Night Run and the Spot Run: Smoothity Perceived Speed

While runners traversing bumpy surfaces need to be concerned with recent said bumps that might break their rhythm in the race, shock-absorbent routes boast a smooth surface that allows them to pay attention to the length of their stride and cadence.

It is bad running form — effort must be conserved.

The springy responsiveness of these tracks lends themselves to wanting midfoot or forefoot striking, which is biomechanically more efficient than heel striking — one of the No. 1 perpetrators of injuries on these hard surfaces.

The test also showed that injured runners benefited from the shock absorbent running tracks.

Competitive Athletes

Elite runners rely on shock-absorbent tracks to peak performance and reduce injury risk. Due to their potential to increase potential top speeds, many world records originate from high-performance track surfaces.

Recreational Runners

But for recreational runners and fitness junkies alike, the lowered impact on joints makes the activity even more fun and sustainable in the long run.

Schools and Universities

Athletic departments prioritize finding a solution to keep student-athletes safe. They have vibration-absorbent tracks so young runners can sprout into their full potential without fear of needless injuries.

Rehabilitation Centers

Similar shock-absorbent surfaces are commonly recommended for patients who are rehabbing injuries so they can do low-impact conditioning.

The Perfect Shock-Absorbing Track

Shock-absorbent tracks: yes, but not all tracks are created equal When shopping for a track, consider:

Material Quality — Top-quality rubber or polyurethane for maximum durability and performance.

Thickness and Cushioning: As the thicker tools will absorb a lot of impact, it should not lose its tack, these can be used for a more cushioned feeling.

Texture: To allow for some grip and limiting slip, a bit of a texture in the overall finish, without causing any abrasive machinations.

Certifications: Make sure that the tracks are certified from various entities, e.g. World Athletics (formerly known as IAAF) as provided by competitive specifications.

Summary: the future of running surfaces

Shock absorbent running tracks are one of the LOL’ing inventions from the last few years in sports science — the happy place between performance and injury prevention. Whether you’re a rough and tumble athlete, a casual jogger, or a school administrator, a cost effective, absorbing, track comes with better performance, stamina, and conditioning, home tracking solutions or in-stadium.

We look forward to newer designs and materials that take the best aspects of performance and safety to newer heights as technology continues to advance so rapidly. For now, one thing is certain: The world beneath our feet is being transformed by the next generation of shock-absorbent tracks, and the new smoothness, speed and safety they bring to every stride.

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