Fitness: Is shoe design science or hot air?

Lately however, researchers have been questioning whether that expensive technology delivers. And whether a stripped-down pair of running shoes can reduce the risk of injury as well or better than ones pumped up with air, gel, rubber or foam.

It’s a given that impact stress can lead to injury, but there is no proof that the shoe design on the market is a panacea for the injuries that runners incur. And since injury rates in the recreational runner are significant, with 37 to 56 per cent of recreational runners being injured at least once each year, one has to wonder what role shoes play in the determination of those injuries.

David Pearsall is an associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education at McGill. His area of expertise is biomechanics with a particular interest in running. A runner himself, Pearsall says the trend toward a lighter, closer-to-the-ground model of shoe is not necessarily a bad thing,0 but then again, it may not be suitable for all runners.

So where does that leave the average runner looking for comfort, protection and performance in their footwear?

Richards and his team of researchers say that runners should be aware that there is no ideal shoe type, so be careful whose sales pitch you believe. They also suggest that if you’ve remained injury free, don’t go changing your shoes for the sake of change. That being said, if you suffer from chronic injury maybe a new shoe with new features is a good idea.

Don’t expect miracles from your shoes, Pearsall said. No shoe will protect you from injuries caused by poor training practices. Nor will shoes worn beyond their life expectancy provide the protection they offered out of the box.

The lesson learned here is to

think twice before buying into the latest manufacturer-based design changes, which may or may not perform as advertised. No one knows your feet better than you do, so when it comes to running shoes the best choice is the one tested in your own lab.