Here is an extract on the biomechanics of the foot and shoe
safety from Dr Mel Siff's (www.drmelsiff.com) book "Facts and Fallacies of Fitness" (2000).
More of Mel Siff brilliant work, and those who are continuing it at http://bit.ly/uWx8mn
SHOES AND SAFETY
Shoe manufacturers would have us believe that the primary solution to most
Aerobics or running injuries is the wearing of expensive footwear. Ailments
such as shin splints, iliotibial band syndrome and peripatellar pain are
attributed variously to excessive shock loading of the limbs, pronation or
supination. Research, however, reveals that fewer injuries occur among
those who wear thin soled shoes or no shoes at all, even though the heel
strike forces are greater.
Furthermore, running shoes seem to be associated with fewer injuries in
fitness classes than so-called 'aerobics shoes'. Nigg, in his book "The
Biomechanics of Running Shoes", reports that on firm shock absorbing mats,
the difference in heel strike force is minimal between bare feet, thick-soled
shoes and thin-soled shoes. Nigg also points out that the use of any shoe
usually increases the tendency of the foot to pronate, particularly if the
impact forces are smaller.
Moreover, several studies have shown that there is no correlation between the
amount of shoe cushioning and impact absorption by footwear during
locomotion. Similarly, other research has been unable to provide evidence
that expensive athletic footwear improves protection from injury to the lower
extremities. The following references address these issues:
Caspersen C et al (1984) The incidence of injuries and hazards in
recreational and fitness runners Med Sci Sports Exerc 16: 113
Clarke T et al (1982) The effects of shoe cushioning upon selected force
and temporal patterns in running Med Sci Sports Exerc 14: 144
Powell K et al (1986) An epidemiological perspective on the causes of
running injuries Phys Sports Medicine 14: 100-114
Robbins S
safety from Dr Mel Siff's (www.drmelsiff.com) book "Facts and Fallacies of Fitness" (2000).
More of Mel Siff brilliant work, and those who are continuing it at http://bit.ly/uWx8mn
SHOES AND SAFETY
Shoe manufacturers would have us believe that the primary solution to most
Aerobics or running injuries is the wearing of expensive footwear. Ailments
such as shin splints, iliotibial band syndrome and peripatellar pain are
attributed variously to excessive shock loading of the limbs, pronation or
supination. Research, however, reveals that fewer injuries occur among
those who wear thin soled shoes or no shoes at all, even though the heel
strike forces are greater.
Furthermore, running shoes seem to be associated with fewer injuries in
fitness classes than so-called 'aerobics shoes'. Nigg, in his book "The
Biomechanics of Running Shoes", reports that on firm shock absorbing mats,
the difference in heel strike force is minimal between bare feet, thick-soled
shoes and thin-soled shoes. Nigg also points out that the use of any shoe
usually increases the tendency of the foot to pronate, particularly if the
impact forces are smaller.
Moreover, several studies have shown that there is no correlation between the
amount of shoe cushioning and impact absorption by footwear during
locomotion. Similarly, other research has been unable to provide evidence
that expensive athletic footwear improves protection from injury to the lower
extremities. The following references address these issues:
Caspersen C et al (1984) The incidence of injuries and hazards in
recreational and fitness runners Med Sci Sports Exerc 16: 113
Clarke T et al (1982) The effects of shoe cushioning upon selected force
and temporal patterns in running Med Sci Sports Exerc 14: 144
Powell K et al (1986) An epidemiological perspective on the causes of
running injuries Phys Sports Medicine 14: 100-114
Robbins S
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