Are you a heavyset runner? Ditch those lightweight running shoes now! (Hindustan Times)

Running Shoes/Running Gear

6 years ago 06/23/2017 1:45am EDT

New research has found that lightweight running shoes could be causing more harm than good for heavier runners. Although lightweight running shoes have grown in popularity in recent years, including those trying to mimic a â€œbarefootâ€ running experience, the new study suggests that the amount of padding you choose should depend on how much you weigh.
Carried out by the University of South Australiaâ€™s Sansom Institute for Health Research, the researchers looked at the 61 trained runners across a 26-week period.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/fitness/are-you-a-heavyset-runner-ditch-those-lightweight-running-shoes-right-now/story-3t5F2GUqVWS1sXQDuBfElL.html

6 years ago 06/23/2017 11:00am EDT

re: Sansom Institute Research

Alright, that makes intuitive sense.

6 years ago 06/23/2017 11:41am EDT

re: Supersupercenentarian

Supersupercenentarian wrote:
Alright, that makes intuitive sense.

Might seem intuitive, but I haven't found it to be true for myself. I've always been big for a mid-d runner (I was around 185lbs at my lightest while training hard in college). I had way better luck training in flats than in heavily cushioned trainers.

6 years ago 06/23/2017 12:38pm EDT

re: not for me

not for me wrote:
Supersupercenentarian wrote:
Alright, that makes intuitive sense.
Might seem intuitive, but I haven't found it to be true for myself. I've always been big for a mid-d runner (I was around 185lbs at my lightest while training hard in college). I had way better luck training in flats than in heavily cushioned trainers.

As far as injuries or performance?

It probably has to do a lot with foot shape and stride as well.

6 years ago 06/23/2017 12:43pm EDT

re: Sansom Institute Research

I've been running for 30 years at between 240 and 310 lbs and have never been injured. I've worn all kinds of shoes from minimalist to maximalist to motion control, but lightweight shoes tend to fall apart quickly and I do like some support and cushion, so I do find myself buying heavier shoes more often than light shoes.

6 years ago 06/23/2017 2:13pm EDT

re: not for me

not for me wrote:
Supersupercenentarian wrote:
Alright, that makes intuitive sense.
Might seem intuitive, but I haven't found it to be true for myself. I've always been big for a mid-d runner (I was around 185lbs at my lightest while training hard in college). I had way better luck training in flats than in heavily cushioned trainers.

Pretty much ditto except for the mid-d bit. And I've blown a reasonable amount of money on cushioned shoes because it seems like they should be the best thing for the arthritis in my knee. But inevitably they make it worse. I've had my least bad spell in years (knock wood) over the past month and I've done a lot of running in spikeless cross country flats and a pair of Asics Sortie Magics.

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Are you a heavyset runner? Ditch those lightweight running shoes now! (Hindustan Times)

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