malmo wrote:
Hill sprints are the ideal kind of training, ofr a couple of reasons.
1) Cardiovascularly, they are speed training without the force impact.
2) Impact of running increases by the square of velocity. Going uphill decreases the speed, thereby decreasing the force impact. Also footplant of each stride is a bit higher in elevation than the last ( a 5 ft stride on 5% grade the footstrike is 4" higher than the last), also decreasing the force impact. Turnover remains the same.
Running increases bone density. Sprinting increases it even more. The problem with sprinting is that you also expose yourself to the higher impacts that can lead to tissue or bone injury. By running hills you dramatically reduce that risk.
Thanks. I'll keep doing them and continue with some of the injury prevention things that I've ramped up as well.