Is it better to run on pavement or gravel?
Haylie Ondricka
2025-06-29 06:15:24
Count answers: 16
Dirt, gravel and woodland trails are also good choices. Like grass, they reduce the impact on your bones and knees and help prevent injuries from overexertion. The surface you run on plays a major role in determining the impact on your body and how much repetitive microdamage may be done to your bones and joints over time. If at all possible, runners should avoid concrete and cement surfaces like sidewalks. Hard surfaces can lead to shin splints and repetitive overuse injuries, such as Achilles tendinopathy (tendonitis), which causes heel pain due to an incomplete healing response. The best urban surface is asphalt, which is why generally you see runners using streets rather than sidewalks for their exercise.
Nya Carter
2025-06-29 05:35:08
Count answers: 9
Running is always classified as a high impact sport but we can use a variety of surfaces to reduce that impact. Reduced impact means lowered risk of bone injury like stress fractures and stress reactions. Dirt roads, crushed gravel, limestone, and the like are significantly softer and easier on the body than asphalt and concrete, but still quite responsive. Dirt roads absorb shock much better than concrete and asphalt, so more energy is lost with each step. Dirt roads are ideal for long runs, longer tempo runs and general mileage. Dirt roads are a great choice for runners who are prone to stress injuries and for runners returning to fitness after a stress injury. Grass is one of the softest feasible options for runners. Grass is very soft and therefore not very responsive, which makes it a slow surface for running. However, it is perfect for runners returning to run after a stress injury, and should always be prioritized before adding miles on asphalt or concrete.
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