podiatric

Running without shoes is something that has been getting a lot of attention lately as well as a lot of debates. Those who run barefoot make a number of claims for barefoot running that are not supported by the research evidence. They claims that barefoot running results in less injuries, but a look around the barefoot running websites shows a lot of barefoot runners asking advice on their injury, such as 'top of foot pain'.  Stress fractures from the Vibram Five finger barefoot running shoe is also common. They claim that barefoot running is more efficient, yet the research evidence is that this is not the case.

They claim that running shoes are bad and cause injury, yet there is no evidence that shows this. They use this claim to say that this proves barefoot running is better, yet that is a nonsensical claim. Just because there is no evidence that running shoes help, does not mean that they are no and it does not mean that barefoot running is better.

The media has jumped on the barefoot running bandwagon and parrots research touted by the barefoot running community without doing any critical analysis of the claims. There is also a religious zeal about the way barefoot running is touted.

This certainly does not mean that there are not benefits to barefoot running is used in moderation and cautiously. It is not for everyone, but the fanatics who tout barefoot running like to ram it down people’s throats like they promoting a religion. They fervently believe they are right and everyone else is wrong, even when the research evidence does not support them. There is an anti-running barefoot website that does take a critical analysis of the claims made about it.