05/20/2016    

RELEVANT RESEARCH

Prospective Comparison of Running Injuries Between Shod and Barefoot Runners

 

A prospective survey was conducted over the course of a year among 201 (107 barefoot and 94 shod) adult runners. Information regarding injuries and mileage was logged monthly using a custom, web-based database program. The number of injured runners, number of injuries per runner, and injury rates were compared between habitual barefoot and habitual shod runners. Both musculoskeletal and plantar surface injuries were assessed.

 

Conclusions: Barefoot running is associated with fewer overall musculoskeletal injuries/runner, but similar injury rates. A larger scale cohort is needed to more accurately assess differences in individual injuries between these two groups.

 

Source: Allison R Altman; Irene S Davis, Medscape via British Journal of Sports Medicine