dr_paul.gamble@xxxxxx on 06/01/2011
Recent investigations of barefoot versus shod running have identified that the cushioning and 'support' provided by running shoes in fact appears to encourage aberrant foot strike patterns (initial contact with the heel) that increase impact forces and stresses sustained through the lower limb when running.
Habitual barefoot runners show different foot strike patterns that are associated with lower peak impact forces and mechanical stresses, which appear more efficient and less injurious. * See Lieberman et al, Nature, 463: 531-535, 2010; and Divert et al, Int J Sports Medicine, 26: 593-598, 2005 * Preliminary data presented at the BASES conference find that runners who habitually wear running shoes will quickly adapt their foot strike when this cushioning is removed - i.e. when running barefoot.
The Topic for Discussion is: What other examples are there of training 'aids' which may in fact impair training adaptation or performance?
j.vanrenterghem@xxxxxx on 12/01/2011
Paul,
This is a very interesting question. It could lead to many philosophical questions, often related to doping etc. The interesting thing though about this Lieberman paper is that it has been challenged by many, and a lot of biomechanical work is ongoing now to either support or contradict the generic claims made in the paper. As a biomechanist, this type of overarching question is not often on the agenda due to the unfortunate complexity/inaccuracies/lack of standardization with a lot of our experimental methods clouding a lot of messages. Such constraints could be clarified by the work that was done to allow/disallow the double amputee Oscar Pistorias for participating at the Being Olympics, where it was questioned whether or not his artificial legs were providing him a benefit over able bodied athletes. Further, I can from experience say that certain shin guards used in football obstruct good technical execution of a kick, but such has for as far as I am aware never been reported in a scientific paper. Another thing is with the long studs, where improved performance on muddy surfaces puts athletes in danger when they use the same boots on dry surfaces. Due to the commercial nature of a lot of the work on these issues, very often though good scientific support is lacking or locked in manufacturers' cupboards. I'd be very happy to hear of other people's views.