A lot of publicity has been given to the concept of barefoot running vs. running in running shoes. Most of the media’s interpretation of the research on this has been extremely misleading (see: Barefoot running and its interpretation by the media). All the research has shown is that running barefoot is different to running in shoes. No research has shown that one is better than the other.
Despite numerous claims made by the barefoot running community:
No research has shown that running shoes cause injuries.
No research has shown that here has been an increase in the amount of running injuries.
Running shoes do not cause osteoarthritis or plantar fasciitis.
There is not an epidemic of impact related running injuries.
Running shoes have not been shown to weaken muscles.
There is NO evidence that there is less injuries in those that run barefoot.
None of this means that there is anything wrong with barefoot running, it’s just that the research does not show what is being claimed in the rhetoric by the barefoot running community.
See: Barefoot Running Debate on Podiatry Arena for a discussion on these issues.
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