Just wondered if anyone saw Supershoppers special (channel 4) article on running shoes?
It was an interesting watch and definitely food for thought.
In case you didn't watch it, basically it was saying that there is no research that proves that special trainers (via gait analysis or otherwise) are any better for you or will prevent injury any less that other trainers. The info on sports brands websites was misleading and Asics website in particular was the most 'questionable'
The 'specialist' (can't remember his field of expertise now) runs regularly and has racked up 100's of miles in his £19.99 trainers. And where did he buy them from... Aldi! (He would buy the same again when they wear out too!)
Apparently forcing our feet to fall a certain way when running is more likely to cause injury than letting them fall the way they have for the whole of our life's.
I'm not about to throw my support trainers away yet - but i'll be thinking twice before re-mortgaging my house to buy my next pair. lol
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Sarah-A
Graduate
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Ooh - should have mentioned.... The most important things (which we all know) is that the trainers should be comfortable and have plenty of room in the toe box (area when our tooties are).
I read an article just as I began my C25K journey that said pretty much the same thing as I thought I would need some 'proper' shoes. The study had looked at runners and also soldiers marching and the conclusion was that the most important factor was that the footwear felt comfortable and that the wearer described them as comfortable as soon as they put them on.
This is why I'm perfectly happy running in my £7.99 Gola active bargain shoes until they wear out.
I've also never had any gait analysis - I know I'm wonky and it's pretty obvious from the way my shoes wear down. But I've never had any injuries either. I walk a lot - we're talking about 11 k on average every day for the last year, and I have always walked everywhere. I'm pretty sure my knees will pack in at some point, but even when I go over on my ankle (happens about once every 5 years) or fall I've never done myself a real mischief. Couldn't imagine what shin splints were when I first heard about them. I do wear shoes that are wide at the front with plenty of space for toes. But that's cos I've got big feet!
Having written this I will now be blasted with shin splints, twisted ankles and other injuries for being so cocky.
I got shin splints in W2, I didn't know much about running shoes, and was just using my old trainers. When I had gait analysis I was told I over pronate, and in fact I've seen it on the video they make in Sports shops. Since I got the "proper" shoes I've been fine, but of course you can't prove a negative and perhaps I would have been just as fine in any old pair of running shoes. Of course, the fact that one person runs in cheap shoes doesn't mean it's right for everybody. Shin Splints is so painful, I don't want to find out!
It's very easy to 'state' something without evidence. "there is no research that proves that special trainers...are any better for you or will prevent injury any less that other trainers"
But then "Apparently forcing our feet to fall a certain way when running is more likely to cause injury than letting them fall the way they have for the whole of our life's"
The problem being that the first statement means the second is not proven, even though it seems to make sense. I agree that we should get shoes that fit well and are comfortable. I'd rather get that advice from a specialist running shop than ALDI, but if the specialist running shop said to run in ALDI shoes I might be tempted to buy some.
The first 4-minute mile was run in "racing flats" which are basically leather moccasins with no support/protection at all. If I tried that I'd end up in A+E no matter how comfortable/well fitting they were.
The specialist turns out to be a physiotherpaist who specialises in "Cervical arterial dysfunction; risks and adverse events of manual therapy; neck pain and headache;"
so he should know what he's talking about...???
Am intrigued by the assertion that there is no research on this topic. A quick look at Google Scholar brings up literally hundreds of peer-reviewed papers and meta-analyses specifically on this subject. The first page I looked up in the Britsh Journal of Sport Medicine offered
"Injury risk in runners using standard or motion control shoes: a randomised controlled trial with participant and assessor blinding "
or perhaps
"Association Between Foot Type and Lower Extremity Injuries: Systematic Literature Review With Meta-analysis" in the Journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapy
which discovered those who under- or over-pronated were 23% more likely to suffer foot, ankle, knee and thigh injuries...
What's Paula Radcliffe's main piece of advice before starting off on your running journey?
It's get some decent footwear. This is common sense as far as I'm concerned.
In my book, that *doesn't* mean being hoodwinked into paying £130 for the latest Asics/Brooks/Adidas/Nike/Saucony etc ... Some are happy to do that, not me. The absolute maximum I'll pay is £60. An experienced ultra-runner I know won't pay more than £50 - he has about 6 pairs on the go!
For many, "support" shoes for those who over-pronate to an extent that doesn't require intervention from a physio and/or podiatrist, seem to work very well judging by posts here.
Any trainers or running shoes should be "fit for purpose", so "comfort" is a minimum requirement.
I didn't see this program over here but what you are saying sounds interesting and what I have always suspected.
Previously I used to buy Asics but the netting always failed my big toe and they were not always comfortable. I used to blame my feet and did not realise I had other options. . Asics were expensive (about 5 times the price of my NB on special) .
I decided to buy a NB once as a spare pair as they were on special and cheap. I have never looked back. I bought two pairs last year (trail) and last week treated myself to a running pair. Lovely, comfortable and $50. So my three pairs of NB together are still cheaper than my Asics and much more comfortable.
I think with shoes, it is what you are comfortable with. We just can't pigeon hole our feet. So far NB, as trail or running, are the perfect fit for me, and I am laughing all the way to the bank !
I suspect that there are some people who have paid a heck of a lot of money for shoes who could have run in £5.99 trainers from their local market, because their conformation is 'right'. I started in the trainers I had, and by the end of Week 3 was in tears because of the pain in my shins. I went for gait analysis, was told I over-pronated, came away with appropriate footwear and have never had shin pain since. When those shoes wore out and I couldn't get the same model, it took me 4 attempts to find a shoe that was as comfortable and didn't set up strains elsewhere.
Think of the 'advice' about food. Low-carb, high-carb, high-fat, no-fat, 5-2, low-GI, paleo - there's something for everyone and I wouldn't touch some of these with a bargepole because they wouldn't work for me. And there are experts who do more research than others...
I had an issue with a pair I was recommened as I slightly over pronate, my old trainers were neutral. Had snags with the new ones that were masked by man flu and chest infection at the same time (put the pants running to the illnesses). Whacked on the old Neutrals again and whey hey, mojo was back. I'mn sticking with neutrals in future.
I'm with Anniemurph on this one. I got told I overpronate and bought the most comfortable trainers available, though they still weren't that comfortable. They didn't help so I got custom insoles for my flat feet. They haven't helped either.
Went onto YouTube and found videos with exercises to help build up flat feet, help to prevent plantar fasciitis and build up the joints in my feet, legs and hips to support the new foot placement I'm adopting when walking.
It's funny because I was always more comfortable walking in the cheapest of sandals as they were the closest I could get to being barefoot whilst protecting my feet from glass etc. When I told the podiatrist this they laughed and told me it wasn't possible because I should have been in pain.
I'm now back to my cheap sandals for walking and once I'm able to run again (when I've built up the strength in my feet) I'll be buying xero shoes z trail sandals.
It might not be something that works for everyone, but this is what works for me.
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Just starting - trainer question?
Week 9 Run 3 Done!! Whoopie!!!!
Shoes!!
Gait analysis done - glad I did!
