Beware of Footstrike Studies Focusing on Only One Variable
By Dr. Mark Cucuzzella, MD
A recent study of less than 40 East African tribesman showed that most land on their heels while running at a slow pace on a compliant surface (not pavement) and when they sped up most changed their pattern to midfoot landing. Some in the media then grabbed onto this small sample and somehow arrived at the following “conclusions”:
• Barefoot running is not a good thing…the fad is over
• This supports cushioned running shoes with elevated heels
The study looked at the Daasanach who are a pastoral tribe living in a remote section of northern Kenya. According to the New York Times, “Unlike some Kenyan tribes, the Daasanach have no tradition of competitive distance running, although they are physically active. They also have no tradition of wearing shoes.”
Let’s see now, the African subjects were running barefoot; but people land in different ways, and as you speed up you get more forward on your foot. Not surprising as anyone who runs, coaches, researches, or even observes runners knows. There was absolutely no reference or relevance to injuries or footwear effects in this study. These happy tribesman were jogging slowly in their bare feet as they do daily, and I doubt any of them had or ever will have running injuries.
They were active tribal people (not habitual runners) running at a jogging pace. To read more, please visit: http://naturalrunningcenter.com/201...gn=beware-running-studies-footstrike-variable