Why is it important to dedicate valuable training time to the foot and ankle?
Here are some facts and key points as to why you need to train the foot and ankle.

1. For every 1% of the increase in force generated beneath the big toe, the risk of serious injury due to falling decreases by approximately 7%.

2. Research shows that planter fasciitis is caused by a weakness of the toe and peroneal muscles.

3. Strengthening the soleus may be the key to treating and preventing Achilles injuries

4. Distance runner's feet contact the ground on average 10,000 times per hour.

5. A research paper done in 2018 confirmed that keeping all the calf muscles strong is essential for maintaining speed as we age.

6. Researchers confirmed that older runners slow down not due to decreased force output from the hip or knees but from reduced force output from the calves.

7. Preserving calf strength can slow down the decline of speed with aging.

8. One way to strengthen the toes is to wear minimalist shoes during the day.

9.50% of runners are injured every year.

10. 75% of all running injuries are from overtraining.

11. Injuries increase dramatically when you run more than 35-40 miles per week.

12. The best predictor of future injury is prior injury.

13. The posterior tibialis muscle is the most important stabilizer of the arch.