There has been a lot of attention being given to the philiosophy of barefoot running vs. running in running shoes. Most of the interpretation by the media and barefoot running community has been very misleading and misinformed (see: Barefoot running and its interpretation by the media). The research has clearly shown that running barefoot is different to running in shoes. No research has actually shown that one is better than the other, yet that is how many have interpreted it.
Despite numerous claims made by the barefoot running community an anti-running barefoot website has raised many questions to balance the rhetoric that appears on barefoot running websites:
No research has shown that running shoes cause injuries.
No research has shown that here has been an increase in the amount of running injuries.
Running shoes do not cause osteoarthritis or plantar fasciitis.
There is not an epidemic of impact related running injuries.
Running shoes have not been shown to weaken muscles.
There is NO evidence that there is less injuries in those that run barefoot.
This does not mean that there is anything wrong with narefoot running. It just means that the claims made by the barefoot running community are being critically analysed and they do not stack up to scrutiny.
See: Barefoot Running Debate on Podiatry Arena for a discussion on these issues.
