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Barefoot running shoes: Better than traditional running shoes?
By Mayo Clinic staffOriginal Article: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/barefoot-running-shoes/AN02159
- With Mayo Clinic physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist
Edward R. Laskowski, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Edward R. Laskowski, M.D.
Edward R. Laskowski, M.D.
Dr. Edward Laskowski is certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, including subspecialty certification in sports medicine, and is a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine. He is co-director of the Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine Center and a professor at College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic.
He has been on the staff of Mayo Clinic since 1990 and specializes in sports medicine, fitness, strength training and stability training. He works with a multidisciplinary team of physical medicine, rehabilitation and orthopedic specialists, physical therapists, and sports psychologists.
Dr. Laskowski is an elite-level skier and an avid hiker, cyclist and climber. He approaches sports medicine from the perspective of a physician and an athlete.
In 2006, President George W. Bush appointed Dr. Laskowski to the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, and he has received a Distinguished Service Award from the Department of Health and Human Services for his contribution to the Council.
Dr. Laskowski was a member of the medical staff of the Olympic Polyclinic at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City and has provided medical coverage for the Chicago Marathon. He serves as a consulting physician to the National Hockey League Players' Association and is a featured lecturer at the American College of Sports Medicine's Team Physician Course.
Dr. Laskowski, a Cary, Ill., native, has contributed to Mayo Clinic's CD-ROM on sports, health and fitness, a website guide to self-care, and hundreds of Mayo Clinic articles and booklets in print and online. He is a contributing editor to the "Mayo Clinic Fitness for EveryBody" book, and he has presented lectures throughout the world on health, fitness and sports medicine topics. His teaching expertise has been recognized by his election to the Teacher of the Year Hall of Fame at Mayo Clinic.
"There are many myths and misconceptions about exercise and fitness in general, and also many traditions that don't stand up to scientific scrutiny," he says. "My goal is to provide the most up-to-date and accurate information on sports medicine and fitness topics in a way that you can practically incorporate into your life."
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Question
Barefoot running shoes: Better than traditional running shoes?
What are barefoot running shoes? Are they better than traditional running shoes?
Answer
from Edward R. Laskowski, M.D.
The latest trend among runners, barefoot running shoes look more like gloves than shoes. Indeed, they're often called five toe shoes. Inspired by a growing enthusiasm for barefoot running, barefoot running shoes are lower to the ground, lighter and less cushioned than conventional running shoes. They're designed to provide some protection for your feet while offering some of the desirable aspects of barefoot running.
Traditional running shoes emphasize stability and cushioning, with thick soles and elevated heels. But there's no evidence that these shoes prevent injuries, and in some individuals they may actually increase injury risk. Although barefoot running does carry risks, shoeless runners may avoid some of the potentially harmful forces that conventional running shoe wearers experience.
If you're happy with your current running shoes, there's no need to change. If you want to experiment with barefoot running shoes, ease into it. Make sure to find a shoe that's appropriate for your foot, and choose softer and more forgiving running surfaces at first, such as a cushioned track. Also talk to a sports medicine specialist or foot doctor if you've had injuries or foot problems in the past.
Next questionElliptical machines: Better than treadmills?
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- Lieberman DE, et al. Foot strike patterns and collision forces in habitually barefoot versus shod runners. Nature. 2010;463:531.
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- APMA position statement on barefoot running. American Podiatric Medical Association. http://www.apma.org/MainMenu/News/MediaRoom/PositionStatements/AMPA-Position-Statement-on-Barefoot-Running.aspx. Accessed Aug. 10, 2011..
- Richards CE, et al. Is your prescription of distance running shoes evidence-based? British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2009;43:159.
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