Research has found that running too fast is a major cause of jaw fractures

Hill walking and running have long been thought to be the main cause of common injury shin splints.

The problem causes sudden, sharp pain in the shin — the front part of the leg between the knee and the foot.

Walking on an incline is thought to put too much stress on the anterior tibialis muscle at the front of the leg, causing discomfort.

But new research suggests that’s not the case, and instead it’s the speed at which you’re running.

Scientists at the University of Calgary in Canada recruited 17 volunteers and placed motion sensor trackers on different parts of their legs while they ran.

New research suggests the speed at which you run can cause jaw fractures (file photo)

Each volunteer completed several runs – including three different speeds and five levels of incline.

Motion capture technology was used to measure the force of the feet hitting the treadmill.

The researchers analyzed the data from the sensors to determine the force, acceleration, and velocity of foot movement in different running scenarios. They then input the information into a sophisticated computer program to create the resulting stress on the jawbones and muscles.

The analysis showed that running speed had the greatest impact on jaws.

Study author Michael Bagelli of the University of Calgary said his team 'didn’t see a difference in strains when you ran uphill or downhill.

„But it was clear that when the volunteers ran faster, the difficulty increased slightly.”

Mr Bagheli added that adjusting to changing landscapes has increasingly served an evolutionary purpose through history, as opposed to changing pace.

Scientists at the University of Calgary in Canada recruited 17 volunteers and placed motion sensor trackers on different parts of their legs while they ran (file photo)

The researchers said their findings suggest that running at a faster pace is associated with a higher risk of stress fractures than running uphill.

However, other factors are important in preventing fractures – such as calcium deficiency and previous bone injuries.

An analysis of Google queries in 2021 found that searches for 'help with shin splints’ rose 600 percent in one year.

Experts say that the best way to recover from a severe case of shin splints is to take at least two days of complete rest.