Cushioned running shoes change the way we run. A study, recently published in [the] Nature [journal], has shown that conditioned shod runners land very differently to experienced barefoot runners.

Most barefoot runners land on the fore-foot and use millions of years of evolutionary biological technology to absorb the impact. Shod runners, however, tend to heel-strike when they land generating a sharp, sudden spike of force.

 

They found that minimal shoes actually protect the feet and lower limbs from some of the impact-related injuries now experienced by a high percentage of runners.

The report has contributed to the growing pile of evidence on the benefit of barefoot running and it has also gained some media attention.

 

This video features Dr. Lieberman, one of the authors of the study, summarising his research.

BBC News article with video.