Bad news on the effects of thick cushion heeled running shoes on injury prevention continues to pile up. Now, a growing body of evidence is challenging the belief that these shoes (below) are safe for runners.
Past reports have shown that cushion heeled running shoes alter biomechanics, balance, and joint function, which in turn increases vulnerability to fatigue and injury during running.
Long-term wear of thick cushion heeled running shoes also results in unfavorable changes to the muscular architecture of the foot, which may factor into chronic discomfort and injury.
Even more compelling, Robbins et al. reported that thick cushion heeled running shoes blocks sensory input from the feet, resulting in perceptual illusions of impact during running. The result: injury via flawed biomechanics, such as heel strike.
The researchers concluded that thick cushioned running shoes resulted in perceptual illusions whereby perceived impact was lower than actual impact, which led to inadequate impact-moderating behavior and subsequent injury. Because under-heel cushioning masks the feel of impact, heel strike runners think they are running safe, despite generating an impact 3-times their body weight (Lieberman et al. 2010). Indeed, this perceptual illusion –typified by shoe cushioning–connects heel strike running to injury.
More Isn’t More
Runners need to be careful not to assume that more cushioning equals more protection.
The emergence of running-related injuries bears a relationship with shoe cushion thickness –the thicker the cushion, the higher the chance of injury.
From an evolutionary perspective, humans are capable of running injury-free because the human foot is especially well-suited to deflect high impact.
Throughout our evolutionary history, humans ran barefoot and had a particular advantage in safe-landing strategies through the use of a forefoot strike (Lieberman et al. 2010). Take away one’s forefoot striking capability, and little by little the injuries accumulate because we haven’t evolved strategies to compensate for this deficit. Put another way, humans haven’t evolved compensatory mechanisms to allow less impact when heel striking.
The Take Home Message
Switching to minimalist footwear — a more flexible, barefoot-feeling shoe– or running barefoot will not only improve foot strength, but strengthens muscle memory strategies that improve foot-ground interactions and keeps the feet fully functional.
More From Run Forefoot:
References:
Franz, JR. et al. (2012). Metabolic cost of running barefoot versus shoe: is lighter better?
Gefen et al. (2002). Analysis of muscular fatigue and foot stability during high-heeled gait. Gait and Posture 15, 56-63.
Ker et al. (1987). The spring in the arch of the human foot.
Michael et al. (2013). Examining the potential role of minimalist footwear for the prevention of proximal lower-extremity injuries.
Robbins, SE., and Gouw, GJ. (1991). Athletic footwear: unsafe due to perceptual illusions.
Wegener et al. (2011). Effect of children’s shoes on gait: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Hi! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist with Search Engine
Optimization? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m
not seeing very good results. If you know of any please share.
Kudos! You can read similar blog here: Eco product
Hello there! Do you know if they make any plugins
to help with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not
seeing very good results. If you know of any please share.
Kudos! I saw similar art here: Code of destiny
I am extremely inspired along with your writing abilities and also with the layout to your weblog. Is this a paid subject matter or did you modify it your self? Anyway keep up the excellent high quality writing, it’s uncommon to peer a great weblog like this one these days. I like runforefoot.com ! It’s my: Blaze ai
I am really impressed along with your writing skills as smartly as with the format to your weblog. Is this a paid topic or did you modify it your self? Anyway stay up the nice high quality writing, it is uncommon to see a great weblog like this one nowadays. I like runforefoot.com ! I made: HeyGen
Cheap Height Increasing luxurybrandusa_allyupoosalesss520,If you want to appear taller, new shoes are perhaps the easiest way to do it. Whether you’re looking for an extreme height boost or just a subtle lift, choosing the right pair of shoes can help you look taller without sacrificing style.
Authentic Balenciaga shoes [url=https://eutrade.x.yupoo.com]Authentic Balenciaga shoes[/url]
USA’s Largest Elevator Shoe Store! Huge Selection of Heights & Styles.luxurybrandusa_allyupoosalesss520 have evolved tremendously since its inception. We still remember those unpleasant looking box type shoes that are so thick, even boat shoes have gone sailing south and out of the market! What we are trying to point out here is most elevator shoe brands capitalized the value of their clientele. This includes aesthetic, function, and marketability.
Alexander McQueen seasonal releases [url=https://xfans.x.yupoo.com]Alexander McQueen seasonal releases[/url]
The Benefits of Training with a Weight Vest -luxurybrandusa_allyupoosalesss520 As well as making your muscles stronger, wearing a weighted vest when running will increase the load transmitted through your bones. The benefits of running in a weighted vest. The obvious benefit is that adding weight to your body during running means you work harder.The Complete Guide To Using A Weighted Vest For Running …Running with a weight vest is a good way to become a stronger, faster runner but it could lead to injuries if you aren’t training the right way.
Alexander Wang shoes
Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Thank you so much,
However I am encountering troubles with your RSS.
I don’t know why I can’t subscribe to it. Is there anyone else having the
same RSS issues? Anybody who knows the answer can you kindly respond?
Thanks!!
My website :: nordvpn coupons inspiresensation (t.co)
Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you writing this post and also the rest of
the website is really good.
my blog post nordvpn coupons inspiresensation (url.hys.cz)
nordvpn special coupon code 2025
350fairfax
Hi just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a few of the pictures aren’t loading correctly.
I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue.
I’ve tried it in two different web browsers and
both show the same results.