Comments on: The zealotry of barefoot running http://www.professorlifeuniverseandeverything.com/the-zealotry-of-barefoot-running/119/ Random Pontifications Tue, 13 Dec 2011 07:05:01 +0000 hourly 1 By: Professor http://www.professorlifeuniverseandeverything.com/the-zealotry-of-barefoot-running/119/comment-page-1/#comment-14 Professor Wed, 20 Jan 2010 23:15:08 +0000 http://www.professorlifeuniverseandeverything.com/?p=119#comment-14 I did not link to any of the zealotry websites on barefoot running in my original article as they were so full of irrational arguments for it. I would be doing a diservice to readers if I promoted sites with such nonsense. The idea for the post came about after reading the responses on different websites to the research mentioned above and doing some research on anti-barefoot running. They have an obvious agenda and so do I - I go where the scientific research takes me. @Josh - I have added your blog to my reader and look forward to your further posts. Some of the other barefoot running bloggers who are irrational and fanatical and grasp at anything nonsensical and non-scientific to support their agenda could learn from your intelligent and rational approach. I did not link to any of the zealotry websites on barefoot running in my original article as they were so full of irrational arguments for it. I would be doing a diservice to readers if I promoted sites with such nonsense. The idea for the post came about after reading the responses on different websites to the research mentioned above and doing some research on anti-barefoot running. They have an obvious agenda and so do I – I go where the scientific research takes me.

@Josh – I have added your blog to my reader and look forward to your further posts. Some of the other barefoot running bloggers who are irrational and fanatical and grasp at anything nonsensical and non-scientific to support their agenda could learn from your intelligent and rational approach.

]]> By: Professor http://www.professorlifeuniverseandeverything.com/the-zealotry-of-barefoot-running/119/comment-page-1/#comment-13 Professor Wed, 20 Jan 2010 23:07:04 +0000 http://www.professorlifeuniverseandeverything.com/?p=119#comment-13 @Tuck - please show me the evidence. There is NO eivdence in 'Born to Run". I suggest you re-read it with a more critical eye. Its still a good book and a good read but do you believe everything you read? @ stew - thanks for proving what I said was right. If you actually have research evidence that shows I am wrong, please show me it. If you can't, then you confirmed what I said was right. @Josh - thanks for the intelligent response. I am not opposed to barefoot running. I just object to the way the promotors of barefoot running take scientific research and claim it supports barefoot running when the scientific research did not show that. For example in that really bad peice of research I mentioned above, the press release that went with the study said something in the headline like "running shoes may cause knee osteoarthrtis". Not only did the research not actually show that, but I came across a copy of the press release on a barefoot runners website and they had removed the 'may' from the title! Can someone explain why they did that for? What does that say about the barefoot running community if they are going to be intectually dishonest in the way the represent the scientific research? @Tuck – please show me the evidence. There is NO eivdence in ‘Born to Run”. I suggest you re-read it with a more critical eye. Its still a good book and a good read but do you believe everything you read?

@ stew – thanks for proving what I said was right. If you actually have research evidence that shows I am wrong, please show me it. If you can’t, then you confirmed what I said was right.

@Josh – thanks for the intelligent response. I am not opposed to barefoot running. I just object to the way the promotors of barefoot running take scientific research and claim it supports barefoot running when the scientific research did not show that.

For example in that really bad peice of research I mentioned above, the press release that went with the study said something in the headline like “running shoes may cause knee osteoarthrtis”. Not only did the research not actually show that, but I came across a copy of the press release on a barefoot runners website and they had removed the ‘may’ from the title!

Can someone explain why they did that for? What does that say about the barefoot running community if they are going to be intectually dishonest in the way the represent the scientific research?

]]> By: Barefoot Josh http://www.professorlifeuniverseandeverything.com/the-zealotry-of-barefoot-running/119/comment-page-1/#comment-11 Barefoot Josh Wed, 20 Jan 2010 21:52:32 +0000 http://www.professorlifeuniverseandeverything.com/?p=119#comment-11 Not every barefooter is trumpeting that study. Here was my reaction: http://www.barefootjosh.com/?p=279 But your missing the point re proof: if I'm going to buy something, I need evidence to convince me to part with my money. If there's no evidence that running shoes are any better than barefootery, why spend the money? You're never going to get the proof you're looking for. I mean, define "better." That's going to vary from person to person. For some people, it's "better" to destroy their knees than let anyone see their feet. Not my place to judge. We can say that human beings got around without shoes until very recently in history. Until there is evidence that running shoes do anything other than encourage a clunky form, I'll spend my money on hats. Not every barefooter is trumpeting that study. Here was my reaction:
http://www.barefootjosh.com/?p=279

But your missing the point re proof: if I’m going to buy something, I need evidence to convince me to part with my money. If there’s no evidence that running shoes are any better than barefootery, why spend the money?

You’re never going to get the proof you’re looking for. I mean, define “better.” That’s going to vary from person to person. For some people, it’s “better” to destroy their knees than let anyone see their feet. Not my place to judge.

We can say that human beings got around without shoes until very recently in history. Until there is evidence that running shoes do anything other than encourage a clunky form, I’ll spend my money on hats.

]]> By: stew http://www.professorlifeuniverseandeverything.com/the-zealotry-of-barefoot-running/119/comment-page-1/#comment-10 stew Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:48:24 +0000 http://www.professorlifeuniverseandeverything.com/?p=119#comment-10 I've done my own research. I recommend you do the same, if possible. I’ve done my own research. I recommend you do the same, if possible.

]]> By: Tuck http://www.professorlifeuniverseandeverything.com/the-zealotry-of-barefoot-running/119/comment-page-1/#comment-9 Tuck Wed, 20 Jan 2010 16:37:10 +0000 http://www.professorlifeuniverseandeverything.com/?p=119#comment-9 "There is also no evidence that they don’t either (something the critics conveniently forget!)." There's actually quite a bit of evidence that running in sneakers is bad for you, and it's been around for quite a long time. For me, the most compelling bit of evidence is the rise of various "runners afflictions". Most of these, if they existed, were so uncommon as to be unmentionable. Take the ACL tear. Common today, it wasn't even identified as a medical condition until 1974. The research was done at West Point, a place that's had an active athletic program for a very long time. Why did the ACL tear suddenly become a problem when it did? "Runner's Knee" similarly was first identified in the 1970s. My own experience has been that my problem knee has gotten substantially better since I started running in Vibrams, and my shin splints are a fading memory. I've spent the last 6 months since I read "Born to Run" doing the research. It's out there, and it's pretty clear, and my first hand experiences (and those of many others!) only reenforce it. “There is also no evidence that they don’t either (something the critics conveniently forget!).”

There’s actually quite a bit of evidence that running in sneakers is bad for you, and it’s been around for quite a long time. For me, the most compelling bit of evidence is the rise of various “runners afflictions”. Most of these, if they existed, were so uncommon as to be unmentionable. Take the ACL tear. Common today, it wasn’t even identified as a medical condition until 1974. The research was done at West Point, a place that’s had an active athletic program for a very long time. Why did the ACL tear suddenly become a problem when it did? “Runner’s Knee” similarly was first identified in the 1970s.

My own experience has been that my problem knee has gotten substantially better since I started running in Vibrams, and my shin splints are a fading memory.

I’ve spent the last 6 months since I read “Born to Run” doing the research. It’s out there, and it’s pretty clear, and my first hand experiences (and those of many others!) only reenforce it.

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