While many runners think that running on sand or grass can decrease their risk of injury – they are actually increasing their risk. Sports medicine experts actually report more sprains, strains and even tendonitis because runners who are using these surfaces are actually running on uneven and inconsistent locations.
In addition, these surfaces often have slopes, creating off-center forces on the ankles and feet. With time, if runners consistently run on sand or grass, they may experience tendonitis, inflammation of joints and tendons and fractures.
While this information is important to keep in mind, it doesn’t mean that you should never run on grass or sand. Soft surfaces are helpful for reducing stress and impact. Experts advise that runners who want to use soft surfaces such as dirt roads, smooth fields, sand and running tracks, should build up slowly and pay careful attention to the surface. They should also wear the right type of footwear to minimize the chance of injury.
