You may remember that many of us here at the BRS took part in this ONE-YEAR LONG study. I was also a part of this study. The results of that study have finally been released, and the Natural Running Center breaks it down for us here:
Biomechanics of Barefoot Running and Their Implications for Running Injuries
Do truly minimal shoes, such as the Vibram FiveFingers, Merrell Road Glove, and Vivo Barefoot Evo, provide the same benefits as running barefoot? Does running in a minimal shoe lead to a style of running that is the same as running without shoes? Will running in minimal shoes lead to lower injury rates for injuries suffered by traditionally shoe runners?
Unfortunately, we can't read the full article without becoming a subscriber. Here is the abstract from the Sports Medicine Reports Journal: http://journals.lww.com/acsm-csmr/A...unning___Biomechanics_and_Implications.9.aspx
Abstract
Despite the technological developments in modern running footwear, up to 79% of runners today get injured in a given year. As we evolved barefoot, examining this mode of running is insightful. Barefoot running encourages a forefoot strike pattern that is associated with a reduction in impact loading and stride length. Studies have shown a reduction in injuries to shod forefoot strikers as compared with rearfoot strikers. In addition to a forefoot strike pattern, barefoot running also affords the runner increased sensory feedback from the foot-ground contact, as well as increased energy storage in the arch. Minimal footwear is being used to mimic barefoot running, but it is not clear whether it truly does. The purpose of this article is to review current and past research on shod and barefoot/minimal footwear running and their implications for running injuries. Clearly more research is needed, and areas for future study are suggested.
Biomechanics of Barefoot Running and Their Implications for Running Injuries
Do truly minimal shoes, such as the Vibram FiveFingers, Merrell Road Glove, and Vivo Barefoot Evo, provide the same benefits as running barefoot? Does running in a minimal shoe lead to a style of running that is the same as running without shoes? Will running in minimal shoes lead to lower injury rates for injuries suffered by traditionally shoe runners?
Unfortunately, we can't read the full article without becoming a subscriber. Here is the abstract from the Sports Medicine Reports Journal: http://journals.lww.com/acsm-csmr/A...unning___Biomechanics_and_Implications.9.aspx
Abstract
Despite the technological developments in modern running footwear, up to 79% of runners today get injured in a given year. As we evolved barefoot, examining this mode of running is insightful. Barefoot running encourages a forefoot strike pattern that is associated with a reduction in impact loading and stride length. Studies have shown a reduction in injuries to shod forefoot strikers as compared with rearfoot strikers. In addition to a forefoot strike pattern, barefoot running also affords the runner increased sensory feedback from the foot-ground contact, as well as increased energy storage in the arch. Minimal footwear is being used to mimic barefoot running, but it is not clear whether it truly does. The purpose of this article is to review current and past research on shod and barefoot/minimal footwear running and their implications for running injuries. Clearly more research is needed, and areas for future study are suggested.