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At SportsRec, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
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Running on Cement, Asphalt & Grass

According to Timothy Noakes, author of "Lore of Running," a level, relatively soft surface, such as a gravel road, is the best surface for running. The surfaces of parks, streets and sidewalks, such as concrete, asphalt and grass, put a certain amount of strain on your legs but also offer some advantages.
Cement or Concrete

Artem Kononenko/Demand Media
Concrete is among the least forgiving of running surfaces, causing significant shock to your lower-body joints. "Lore of Running" notes that the risk of injury, particularly to women who run, increases on a concrete surface. On the other hand, concrete is often a relatively smooth and regular surface. Generally, the drawbacks of running on a cement-paved surface outweigh the pros over time, and you should avoid training on concrete whenever possible.
Asphalt

Artem Kononenko/Demand Media
Asphalt is one of the fastest surfaces on which you can run. Although it puts some strain on your body, asphalt is significantly more forgiving than concrete as shown in 1992 study published in "Human Movement and Science." Significantly, however, asphalt is difficult to avoid. City streets, park trails, running paths and country roads are all paved with asphalt. The shock forces associated with asphalt are among the lowest available to an urban runner.
Grass

Artem Kononenko/Demand Media
A study in "Human Movement Science" found running on grass to cause a 25 percent greater shock to the musculoskeletal system than running on asphalt. The latter position was cited favorably in the text "Running," and supported by later scientific studies. While running on grass cause little discomfort, as noted, it is not as ideal for your body as running on asphalt.
Considerations

Artem Kononenko/Demand Media
Among cement, asphalt and grass, although it does not offer all the benefits of gravel, asphalt is the best choice of surfaces for a runner. Asphalt offers a smooth, predictable run with minimal impact on you locomotor system. If gravel or a running track are not available options to you, choose asphalt for longer runs. An occasional run over a well-groomed, level grass field is generally not harmful. Avoid concrete if you can, unless training for a race on such a surface. Then train only sparingly on cement to get a feel for it.
References
- "Lore of Running"; Timothy Noakes; 2003
- "Human Movement Science"; Dynamic Loading During Running on Various Surfaces ;Wangdo Kim and Arkady S. Voloshin; 1992
- "Running"; John Hawley; 2000
- Greenhalgh A, Sinclair J, Leat A, Chockalingam N. Influence of footwear choice, velocity and surfaces on tibial accelerations experienced by field hockey participants during running. J Footwear Sci. 2012;4(3):213-219.
- Hong Y, Wang L, Li JX, Zhou JH. Comparison of plantar loads during treadmill and overground running. J Sci Med Sport. 2012;15(6):554-60.
- Tessutti V, Ribeiro AP, Trombini-Souza F, Sacco IC. Attenuation of foot pressure during running on four different surfaces: asphalt, concrete, rubber, and natural grass. J Sports Sci. 2012;30(14):1545-50.
- Tillman MD, Fiolkowski P, Bauer JA, Reisinger KD. In‐shoe plantar measurements during running on different surfaces: changes in temporal and kinetic parameters. Sports Engineering. 2002:5(3)121-128.
- Wang L, Hong Y, Li JX, Zhou JH. Comparison of plantar loads during running on different overground surfaces. Res Sports Med. 2012;20(2):75-85.
Writer Bio
Trent Jonas accepted his first assignment in 1988 from "The Minnesota Daily" and has been writing professionally ever since, primarily as a copywriter. He is an experienced traveler with a background in advertising, entrepreneurship and as an attorney. Jonas has a Bachelor of Arts in English writing from the University of Minnesota and a Juris Doctor from Hamline University.