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However as we’ll see soon, there may be more to designing running shoes than piling on the cushioning and motion control/stability features.
The big trend of the last few seasons has been the development of a more minimalist running shoe. However, minimalist is an extremely vague term that much like defining streetwear, has its own connotations among different crowds. The general scope of minimalist footwear is something that leans towards a barefoot experience. This means less cushioning & support, a lesser or zero heel to toe drop, flexible sole and a lightweight design. There are varying degrees of this but this is an accurate checklist few should argue against.
It has been said that more minimalist footwear often promotes changed foot strikes towards midfoot and forefoot strikes – which goes against the conventional form associated with a 30-some year old running shoe formula – and can offer greater running economy and less injurious runs. Studies show that upwards of 30% of runners each year experience some sort of pain or injury through running. As of mid-2010, minimalist running shoes represented only 2% of total footwear sales suggesting something is up with traditional footwear design or the heel striking running form it promotes. Prior to the tackling of the minimalist trend by big running brands, shoes once made for outdoor water sports such as Vibram’s 5 Fingers were a good option. Vibram went on to embrace their popularity to create running-specific models of its popular toe shoes. This had lead other big companies such as adidas to launch their own competitor – albeit designated as a workout shoe – the adiPure Trainer as
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well as FILA and their Skele-Toes.
Despite the increased cushioning that has been the norm for so many running shoes, this seems to have a paradoxical effect on mitigating impact forces when running. These thick and robust midsoles reduce the human body’s own proprioceptive abilities – that means the ability for the body to adjust the level of cushioning via sense – and in doing may actually increase impact relative to more minimal or barefoot running. Simply put, if your foot has less cushioning at its disposal, it will take the proper preventative measures to ensure that you aren’t running an in injurious manner. At times, all that extra cushioning may led your body to turn off its stress signals leading to trouble down the road.
As for increased performance, a study back in 2001 discussed that the body uses 4% less energy when running barefoot relative to traditional footwear. We can’t extrapolate the findings but I’d like to see a study that tackles this idea of running economy based on foot strikes rather than mid/forefoot-striking barefooted runners vs. heel striking shod runners. The trouble lies not so much in footwear itself, but rather the technique it seemingly promotes through heel striking. Whether or not heel strikes are the basis of injury are debatable, but from a performance perspective there seems to be evidence that midfoot and forefoot strikes can lead to increased performance.
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