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Best foot forward? New research calls the benefits of some running shoes into question.
RODALE NEWS, EMMAUS, PA—Every so often, the news reports on some "crazy" marathoner who chose to run 26.2 miles in his bare feet, and lately, shoe companies have started to introduce different styles of "running socks" designed to protect your feet from glass and rocks while allowing them to function as they've evolved to over billions of years. A new study published in the journal Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation could give credence to those unconventional ideas. The authors found that runners experience lower levels of torque, or force, on their knees, hips, and ankles when running barefoot than they do while running in shoes, and that may lead to lower levels of knee osteoarthritis, the most common disability in the U.S.
THE DETAILS: The study involved 68 healthy runners, average age 34, of whom 54 percent were women. Each participant ran on a treadmill once while barefoot and then in a standard running shoe (all runners wore the same model shoe). Using markers placed at 16 points on each runner's hips, knees, and ankles, the study authors captured the runners' body's alignments and movements on camera. In general, the runners experienced an increase in knee "torque"—a measure of the force being applied from a joint to the ground—of between 36 to 38 percent while wearing running shoes, compared with running barefoot.
WHAT IT MEANS: How increased torque affects your knees or hips isn't clearly known, says the study's lead author D. Casey Kerrigan, MD, former professor and chair of the Department of Physical Rehabilitation and Medicine at the University of Virginia. But, she says, "it's probably not good. There's plenty of scientific data saying that increased force can lead to the development of knee osteoarthritis." The problem, she adds, is that traditional running shoes are good at absorbing the impact of your heel hitting concrete, but they fail when it comes to absorbing the impact of your weight bearing down on your hips, knees, and ankles. "The cushioning in shoes takes away from your body's intrinsic means to absorb force on it's own right," she says, which could lead to an increase in knee osteoarthritis.
Shoes that aren't shoes
It's true - running barefoot on a surface where you foot doesn't need actual protection is better for your knees. I agree with Randy - shoes' main job is to PROTECT your feet, not help you run faster/better. However, if you want to have a cross between barefoot/shoes - I recommend the vibram five fingers shoes. They are AMAZING - literally make you light on your feet. I do NOT work for them, this is from personal experience. They have the technology explained on their site (see here: http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/technology/inin.com) I love running barefoot, but in an urban setting, that isn't always possible!
Author FAIL
So let me get this straight. The medical study shows running barefoot is less stressful on the knees. There isn’t really evidence that running shoes prevent injuries. You are discouraged from trying to run barefoot by a doctor trying to sell shoes who also used to think the earth was covered with 10 feet of topsoil everywhere. And nowhere in the conclusion do they say that maybe you should try running barefoot to see if it helps you.
They should say that running barefoot might help your knee pain like the study suggests. If you try it, start slow (only a few minutes a day to start) and listen to your body.
I tried running barefoot and love it and I’m not trying to sell you anything.
Give Up Running Shoes? Not So Fast.
SHOES PROTECT THE FEET and THEN they can aid in correcting minor bio-mechanical issues with the runner, if diagnosed properly. Beyond that, in my opinion, most running related injuries are due to improper training regardless of what's on your feet. Heel striking is old-school and your running gait is SO important in injury prevention and efficient running.
Save your money on new shoes and get a coach.