“Remarkably, the effect of running shoes on knee joint torques during running (36%-38% increase) that the authors observed here is even greater than the effect that was reported earlier of high-heeled shoes during walking (20%-26% increase).” Of course, running in high heels would be even harder on joints, I’m sure.
Still, I remain a bit skeptical of the whole barefoot running phenomenon. Interested, but skeptical.
I wouldn't recommend running in high heels ;)
Wow! Lately there's at least one barefoot runner in any large running group--I'm a dinosar--set in my ways--don't think I could do it.
Seems to be searching for a controversy. Running in shoes vs walking in high heels looking at only one factor seems completely inconclusive. The numbers are relatively close, the activities different, and other significant factors are ignored (running strengthens muscles too!). I'm all for making minimalism more mainstream, but I don't like it when barefooting is made out to be a miracle.
Nick: same here, the more miraculous it sounds the more skeptical I become.