“Motion control shoes have actually been shown to cause injuries as opposed to preventing them.”

Pure pseudo-science. Every kind of shoe can and has been blamed for injuring/curing runners.

What I don’t understand is the desire of fashion-twats who love minimal shoes, to interfere in the motion-control market. If wearing only socks suits you, do it. But why make a noise about shoes that you don’t buy or wear? Leave that to those of us who have had success with support/MC shoes.

I don’t try and tell you not to wear ridiculous little fashion slippers – so don’t tell me not to wear heavy, supportive ‘foot-coffins’.

There are thousands of people out there, for whom this fad didn’t work; who have injuries; who have missed training because of it.

They are far less vocal than the bare footers (it is not possible to be MORE vocal than them!), possibly because people talk less about failures than successes.

The truth is, the barefoot/minimal movement is exactly the same as the support shoe camp – a group of people with an agenda, shoes or books to sell and a desire to get noticed.

In all of this, the sportswear companies, first telling you to get cushioned, then telling you to go minimal, now saying that you should go maximal.

If you believe the above nonsense more than the noise from the other camp, you have a screw loose – every study I’ve seen has pseudo-science at it’s base, and interested parties in its funding.

Wear what is comfortable and works for you – ignore the mouthy bandwagon-jumpers of all creeds.

I have to disagree here. By going to the running store they have stopped my jnjuries. Now I have very no or very little pain once I was fitted for right show with my step. I have talked to other people who have said the same thing. So it not always the case of being fitted causes onjuries.

I agree completely. I was originally fitted with Brooks Adrenaline GTS stability shoes by one of the ‘road running’ stores, and they worked well while I was doing Couch to 5K, but once my running distance increased to around 5 miles, their limitations became obvious as I quickly developed an injury (posterior tibial tendinitis). Two weeks of ice, elevation, and rest healed things; but I had to move up to full motion control Brooks Beasts. Now I can do up to a half marathon without injury — sure things get sore after about 9 miles, but I don’t consider it to be an injury. In this case, it was either let the daggers jabbing my arches stop me from running completely, or wear a motion control shoe.

I understand this post is old and mentalities change –
Running shoes are simply supposed to aid in the running process. They are not the end all be all in alleviating running injuries. Considering that the body is a kinetic chain the entire must be well maintained in order for it operate effectively. Some people need more support, some people need less – given the strength of the rest of the kinetic chain. Shoes are important – everyone pronates to a degree and the goal is to help make running efficient and smooth with the right footwear.
Ive only been fitting running shoes for 8+ years… I know that’s a fraction of time in relation to some people.

Minimalist shoes are becoming more popular, and the Vibrams are among the favorites. Since the local commander can determine whether or not the five-finger shoes are allowed, their wear is not widespread.  I am putting together an exercise sheet with recommendations for our soldiers, in celebration of National Physical Therapy Month, as the transition to minimalist shoes requires a different demand on the body than tradional shoes. I have found that the new line of minimalist shoes without toes (toe shoes are not allowed on the Physical Fitness test) are growing in popularity, as word spreads about the reduction in shin, knee, ankle, and foot pain.  If anyone finds any other studies out there that support the wearing of minimalist shoes, I would love to see it.  If I find others who are DOING the studies, I will post as well. Thanks again!

Even if the shoe companies start to slim down the number of pronation control options, they’re still going to make the shoes – because realistically, they’re a business, and while many people will try minimal shoes, many others will refuse the idea. All it takes is one MBA to shoot down the push from a whole team of biomechanics folks.

…which is why great posts like this are even more important. Fantastic stuff Pete.