New study suggests traditional stability running shoes could be influencing poor running form.
A recent study published in the June edition of Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics examined the effects of heavy cushioned heel running shoes on competitive track athletes. They compared their gait in large heeled trainers to how they ran in racing flats and barefoot. Greater then 70% of the runners had a heel strike with the cushioned shoe which was not present less then 30 percent of the time in the other conditions. Runners adopted a more natural forefoot / midfoot strike pattern when running barefoot or with racing flats. The conclusion, training in heavily cushioned trainers by the competitive runner has not been clearly shown to be detrimental to performance, but it does change the gait pattern. They go on to suggest that It is not known whether the altered biomechanics of the heavily heeled cushioned trainer may be detrimental to the adolescent runner who is still developing a running style.
Knowing the detrimental effects heel striking has on the body without shoes, this study coincides with the philosophy that traditional running shoes can interfere with a natural running gait leading to the possibility of increased injury and decreased efficiency.
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Dr. Nick Campitelli
Dr. Campitelli is a podiatrist in Akron, OH specializing in foot and ankle surgery with an interest and enthusiasm for running as well as helping runners with injuries. For the past several years he has been treating running injuries in patients by fixing their form and transitioning them to minimalist shoes. Having treated runners with all types of injuries through conservative measures with orthotics and shoe gear changes to reconstructive foot and ankle surgery, Dr. Campitelli has brought what works best and is most current to his practice as well as the Akron and Cleveland running communities.
Virtually all shoes impact foot function. Running shoes with wide cushioned heel structures increase the length of moment arms acting on the joints of the ankle complex in multi planes, alter joint acceleration patterns and delay dorsiflexion. Heel drop has the net effect of plantarflexing the tibial talar joint and preventing the plantar aponeurosis from achieving the threshold tension required to activate the Windlass Mechanism.
Virtually all shoes impact foot function. Running shoes with wide cushioned heel structures increase the length of moment arms acting on the joints of the ankle complex in multi planes, alter joint acceleration patterns and delay dorsiflexion. Heel drop has the net effect of plantarflexing the tibial talar joint and preventing the plantar aponeurosis from achieving the threshold tension required to activate the Windlass Mechanism.
Did the athletes run faster in the lighter shoes? Thus, them landing farther forward on their foot.
I would also be interested in where in relation to their center of mass they landed in different shoes.
Did the athletes run faster in the lighter shoes? Thus, them landing farther forward on their foot.
I would also be interested in where in relation to their center of mass they landed in different shoes.
Regardless of whether the shoes were stability, guidance or neutral, putting someone into a 10 or 12mm drop shoe is going to affect their gait.
What would be interesting to compare is how many of the test subjects were naturally forefoot or mid foot strikers at all speeds before putting them into a running shoe?
As always, though provoking articles, thankyou.
Regardless of whether the shoes were stability, guidance or neutral, putting someone into a 10 or 12mm drop shoe is going to affect their gait.
What would be interesting to compare is how many of the test subjects were naturally forefoot or mid foot strikers at all speeds before putting them into a running shoe?
As always, though provoking articles, thankyou.
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