A review published by UCT researchers from the MRC/UCT Research Unit for Exercise Science & Sports Medicine (ESSM) in the online British Journal of Sports Medicine in 2013, found a remarkable lack of evidence to support the benefits of barefoot running for injury prevention and performance.
According to lead author and master’s student Nicholas Tam, barefoot running has become a popular topic of interest. However, the UCT article debates the current scientific evidence for and against barefoot running. What is noted is that often injuries encountered when wearing shoes (usually occurring in the knee) may be exchanged for different types of injuries (stress fractures in and around the ankle). “Those seeking a miracle cure for running-related injuries should note that barefoot running may not be the sole answer and that benefits of barefoot running may require an accommodation period and may not be immediate,” says Tam.
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