If you’re interested, head over to the post on the Tread Lightly blog here: Are Barefoot Running Transition Injuries Actually Uncommon?
You might also like:
Metatarsal Stress Fractures in Minimalist Runners: What Are the Causes?
Study: Running Economy Improves After a 4 Week Simulated Barefoot Running Program
Are you ready for minimalist running?–Self-Assessment video from Jay Dicharry and Running Times
Running Form at the 2010 Boston Marathon: Slow Motion Video of Barefoot, Minimalist, and Traditionally Shod Runners at sub-3:00 Pace
New Trends in the Prevention and Treatment of Running Injury, and a Healthy Dose of Natural Running
About Peter Larson
That study was very biased and only included those who had successfully transitioned to barefoot running. It did not include those who got an injury and did not complete the transition. It was also a self-selected web based study, so does not really have any scientific credibility.
I’ve known many runners that have tried transitioning to barefoot running and many of them have had complications. I “briefly” thought about trying some Vibrams, but then I thought twice. Sure, many people can, and do successfully transition to barefoot running, but is it really a good idea for everyone to? I think not. Just as there are a plethora of running forms, there are a plethora of feet forms as well. Many people spent a relatively little amount of time to transition from a form they’ve probably used for years, let alone, walked in their entire time. I see barefoot running as a fad, that will eventually lead to increase injuries.
Were they transitioning to true barefoot or barefoot-style shoes like the Vibrams?
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My book: Tread Lightly – link to ow.ly
Work: link to anselm.edu…
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There are so many variables. If you run low volume, say 3-4 miles two times a week, barefoot or barefoot-like running almost can’t fail I think. For low volume recreational running I see little reason to bore it down with heavy shoes with no ground feel.
But if you train high volume for marathon for example and has always run in jogging shoes transition will be tricky. I think it can take several years for some to get feet and lower legs into a condition that can do marathon training at the same level they did with jogging shoes.
What I would like to see is more comparison with shod runners who run the same distances. If you run you will experience some injuries but it is the type and frequency that matters.
I have been transitioning to minimalist shoes over the past 5 months. I have experienced some short term injuries that have cleared up as my body has adapted to a mid foot strike rather than heel strike. These include achilles pain and soreness in my calves. From my experience you should expect some minor injuries during transition even if you do it slowly (if you do not do it properly then you can expect more serious injuries).
However my body seems to have adapted now and these have pretty much disappeared. I am glad to say that a few longer term injuries such as sore hip and back seem to have cleared up with the new approach. We are all different but that is my experience.
Just changing a shoe won’t just make a difference. Barefoot or minimalist shoes help you to change your form but don’t totally do it for you,you must consider your whole body not just what is on your feet.
Regardless whether you run in running shoes or in barefoot shoes/ barefoot, you may still hurt your feet and vice versa. There are many factors to consider and it also depends on the runner’s feet since we all have our own differences and style. To me, I’ve never had any problem running in barefoot shoes. I think it’s because I attributed everything to reading Born to Run and some other online resources like barefootrunningshoes.org and birthdayshoes.com. It’s really a great help to read tips and advises from well known sources and from experienced runners. It’s, indeed a huge advantage to oneself.
For the first time I saw someone running barefoot on an asphalt
trail with small rocks, tree branches, etc. I thought it looked cool however
the thought of stepping on debris with bare feet made me cringe. I plan to buy
the Vibrams because I want to challenge my feet in new ways… I might just end
up loving them but I won’t know until I try them out. I am not knocking
barefoot running however I am not up for that challenge at this time.
Video Tutorial #174
Barefoot Running? What If I Step On Something?
link to teamdoctorsblog.com…
Went from heel striking in Nike free 5.0’s to midfoot/forefoot strike in VFF’s KSO’s and never sustained an injury. I utilized my Nike’s intermittently while adjusting, but only to recover.