PODIATRIST DISCUSSES MAXIMAL AND MINIMAL RUNNING SHOES

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A recent study from famed running hub Oregon State University has found that shoes with extra padding known as maximal running shoes did not change the way runners ran after a transition period, leaving them susceptible to increased impact force and injury. So should you steer clear of maximal shoes? Not so fast, says Thurmond Lanier, DPM, a podiatrist at Aurora Oshkosh Medical Center in Aurora, WI. “There have been a number of studies that have been done on maximal running shoes, and none have found a solid link between the shoes and an increase in injury.”

 

Dr. Thurmond Lanier

 

“In general, maximal shoes will be better for patients who have a valgus heel (pronatory foot type),” says Dr. Lanier. “Maximal shoes decrease pronation by an average of 2.5%. Patients with frequent ankle sprains or a varus heel should be more cautious with wearing maximal shoes.” So what about the other end of the spectrum? Who are minimal or “barefoot” shoes good for? “Some studies have shown that minimal running shoes allow more natural running motion and therefore theoretically decrease the risk of injury,” says Dr. Lanier. “There are also studies that suggest minimal running shoes allow the intrinsic muscles of the foot to strengthen, thereby improving running form and also reducing pronation.”

 

Source: Health enews


Courtesy of Barry Block, editor of PM News


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