A running foot strike pattern where the runner lands on the middle portion of the foot, with the heel and forefoot touching down nearly simultaneously. This technique is often considered optimal for efficiency and injury prevention in distance running.
Descriptive compound combining 'midfoot' (the arch area between heel and toes) and 'strike' (moment of ground contact). The term gained prominence in the 2000s as running form analysis became more sophisticated and the barefoot running movement highlighted natural foot strike patterns.
Midfoot striking naturally occurs when you run barefoot or in minimal shoes because it's biomechanically impossible to heel-strike hard without cushioning - you'd bruise your heel! About 80% of elite distance runners use midfoot striking, and it allows for better utilization of the foot's natural arch spring system, essentially turning your foot into a shock absorber and energy return mechanism.
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