 Listen up, runners. This study is for you. I'm Cooper Lawrence, health and wellness expert, and this is all well and good. Good news for all the treadmill runners who suffer from painful shin splints. Well, first off, you're not alone. Shin splints affect 40% of all runners. This pain can worsen and become persistent. In severe cases, it can even lead to stress fractures. A study from the University of Virginia found that a little outdoor gait training could help.