Running shoes ARE useful!

The barefoot/minimalist running debate rages on (I am completing an article for footanklehealth.com) and there are benefits to both sides.  The most obvious one is that running shoes increases the weight of the runner, therefore increasing metabolic cost. This increase in metabolic cost is where the real debate should be focused on.  This metabolic increase gives you increase efficiency during running, that barefoot/minimalist running can not provide.  So the question for any runner should be, “Do  you want to risk injury with barefoot/minimalist running due to inefficient running patterns or do you want to run with more efficiency, but more effort?”.  Barefoot/minimalist running can be more efficient, but it requires a complete biomechanical examination with a corresponding stretching and strengthening protcol.  My previous post would be good way to start with that.  Here is an article that talks about this:   http://t.co/GEIlrXtD   

Health and happiness!