Running Barefoot? Baby Your Bones - by Brent DOdge

​Runners, it might be trendy to run out (literally) and buy a pair of minimalist “shoes” like Vibram’s FiveFinger Shoes. Yet it’s only fair that you go armed with new information published by American Journal of Sports Medicine, which compared before and after MRI scans of 19 runners who donned FiveFinger shoes and transitioned over 10 weeks from traditional to minimalist footwear.

Here’s the sole truth of what they found: Ten of the 19 runners showed either increased bone marrow edema or bone bruising, leading researchers to recommend taking it slowly as you transition to the minimalist approach. Another idea is to avoid bone injuries all together by opting for a pair of good old fashion running shoes. Barefoot running is not appropriate for every runner or every foot type.

Here’s a brief write up about the article from MSN.com’s Science & Technology section, written by Michelle McGuinness of MSN News.
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‘Barefoot’ runners should think about their bones instead of performanceA study found that runners using minimalist shoes like Vibram FiveFingers experienced more bone bruising than runners in traditional shoes.

Switching from traditional running shoes to increasingly popular minimalist ones? You may want to take it slow and give your bones a rest.

For the rest of this informative article, click here.

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Need some guidance on choosing footwear? Contact Kristi Moore, MSPT, Alpine Physical Therapy’s running specialist by calling 406-541-2606. And be sure to visit our Runner’s page by clicking here.