Is all that biomechanics analyses mumbo jumbo at running stores hogwash? Yes it is.

there's one question and one question only at the heart of this debate: if your biomechanics are causing you to get hurt, should you:

A) change them yourself, or

B) buy something to do it for you?

it should be pretty apparent by now that Option B doesn't work. we've relied on shoes to fix us for 30 years, and injuries haven't gone down a bit. Even worse, the shoes don't even do what they're supposed to. check out this jarring observation by the top guy in the field, Dr. Benno Nigg:

'First of all, it's important to realise that modem running shoes, even the ones equipped with 'anti-pronation' features, actually cause pronation--they don't control it,' says Benno Nigg, PhD, a renowned University of Calgary researcher and author of the book, The Biomechanics of Running Shoes. 'A runner--male or female--who pronates about eight degrees while running barefoot will often pronate about 20 degrees while wearing 'anti-pronation' running shoes,' says Nigg. In other words, trying to control pronation may only make it worse.

However, the concern about limiting pronation is a bit of a moot point for Nigg. 'We've just completed a study which shows that there actually no differences in the risk of injury between runners who have high, medium or low amounts of pronation.'

then this doozy straight from Runners World, Dec. 2008:

Q: I have plantar fasciitis. I've tried cushione shoes to help soften the blow, but my feet still hurt. Can you recommend a shoe?

A: We've reported in the past that a more stable shoe will help relieve the pain you feel just ahead of the heel. But recent research has shown that stability shoes— [are you ready? here it comes...] ARE UNLIKELY TO RELIEVE PLANTAR FASCIITIS AND MAY EVEN EXACERBATE THE SYMPTOMS.

I also enjoy how minimalists use men as their study group, and use Kenyans, Tarahumaras as their proof that their footwear works. Try putting women (q angles, lax arches) in the same shoes as them, you should be sued if work in a running store and do that.

I know, bad grammar, I don't care...

an honest view wrote:

I have an anecdotal story that could counter yours, but does your situation, or mine, or your kids, matter? No. Peer-reviewed research trumps anecdotal evidence, and there is no research evidence to back up what shoe stores and shoe companies spout. Each person has to figure it out for themself, whether that agrees with the shoe guy or not.

I won't completely dispute your opinion, but I still think it's irresponsible of you to suggest that input from a qualified running store employee has absolutely no value.

What these stores/employees can offer in terms of biomechanical analysis may be, at best, limited, but I honestly think the good ones do an adequate job of putting customers in shoes provide proper support. (Meaning, shoes that keep a runner's foot in a neutral position throughout the gait cycle.)

If you're saying that ANY runner should be able to wear ANY shoe regardless of their biomechanical deficiencies...and remain injury free...then you have just identified yourself as a troll.

Q angles, lax arches, etc., are part of the marketing, don't you see? We've had equal success with men and women.

Uhh, no. Also, if you think there is no evidence, please look beyond the internet. Stacks.

80s Guy wrote:

I won't completely dispute your opinion, but I still think it's irresponsible of you to suggest that input from a qualified running store employee has absolutely no value.

What these stores/employees can offer in terms of biomechanical analysis may be, at best, limited, but I honestly think the good ones do an adequate job of putting customers in shoes provide proper support. (Meaning, shoes that keep a runner's foot in a neutral position throughout the gait cycle.)

If you're saying that ANY runner should be able to wear ANY shoe regardless of their biomechanical deficiencies...and remain injury free...then you have just identified yourself as a troll.

My opinion and irresponsible? An objective, peer-reviewed, meta-analysis says there is no scientific evidence to back up the "qualified" shoe guy (that's funny). They are the irresponsible ones for using pseudo-science. This means the idea we should be "striving towards a neutral gait" and "correcting pronation" is false. Only the individual knows what is right for them, through trial and error.

And what is up with people calling anyone and anything a "troll"? That is way over-used on this board, to the point that when someone tries to start a serious conversation, people can't take it seriously anymore.

nothing to see here wrote:

Well, peer-reviewed research also can't decide whether or not stretching helps runners remain injury-free.

Does a cat do it? Only a little.

Huh? Oh yeah, you run on your heels barefoot? Really? Prove it (video tape yourself, break the clip down into the phases of the running cycle, and show us that your heel touches first). Lateral knee pain in minimalist? Me thinks there's more than meets the eye (see below).

"Each person has to figure it out for themself, whether that agrees with the shoe guy or not."

As a "shoe guy" I'll be happy to help you figure it out — you don't necessarily have to do it yourself — even though you are clearly a dick.

Results: No original research that met the study criteria was identified either directly or via the findings of the six systematic reviews identified.

Am I wrong or does this simply mean that they couldn't find any studies on the topic?

I've come to believe that the problems associated with pronation come from running in typical high heeled running shoes. The bigger the heel, the more distance there is to pronate and thus the easier it is to get injured. That's why I can't run in most typical "cushioned" trainers without getting IT issues, not to mention constant sprained ankles.

I can, however, run a hundred miles a week injury free in flats. Why is this? I've been told I pronate so much that I'll "definitely get injured" if I don't go stability, and yet I'm fine in the most minimal shoes I can get.

First, calm the f down, we are talking about running shoes here, in the whole scheme it doesn't matter much. Come back after you have taken a run. I land on my heel when running barefoot. I already videotaped my feet, so no need to do it again. Please use more than 20 people in one test next time too. If we all jump off ledges because 20 out of 5 million people lived, would you do it? Probably. We are talking about average runners here, not a small sample of 20. The fact remains that for each argument you guys present, there is a counter-argument. No longitudinal studies exist for minimalist running. Do you know why? It is the same reason no such studies exist on PED's-1)enough short-term practical-use findings exist in observable situations (ie. physical therapy practices, doctor's offices, etc. and in PED's case it is side effects and death) that suggest that for the average person it is a bad idea, and 2)it is irresponsible, unethical, and unsafe. See all you forefoot/midfoot striking guys in the store in a few years looking for the old stand-bys.

Before the running boom, there were minimalists everywhere. Why? Because most runners before the boom were pretty biomechanically efficient, and average shoes then were already minimalist for daily use (low technology). DURING the running boom, new runners (WOMEN, less efficient, etc) using minimalist footwear such as All Star-style shoes, were having problems. How did we know? Because doctors saw it all day long (observable data). Companies then started making more protective shoes FOR THE AVERAGE RUNNER. Please don't use dogmatic bs from one study to further injure and deceive people who need protective shoes.

And as for companies making money off of these stable, cushioned shoes, they are mostly the same companies profiting from minimalist technology shoes, so it is a stupid argument. I don't hear any jackasses on here slamming Newton for their over-priced EVA, right? $170.00? Gotta be kidding me! Please justify that price.

Best part is, I use Nike Free's everyday. I walk in them to make my feet stronger! Guess what? There is no correlation between stronger feet and less injuries!