Links: SmartPlanet.com Article / Vibram FiveFingers / Harvard University Skeletal Biology Lab / BBC News Article /

It's possible that the days of companies like Nike, Adidas, Reebok, Asics, New Balance, etc. selling running shoes in a wide selection of styles, colors, and cushioning and support systems may be numbered. If running barefoot causes less frequent and less serious injuries than running with a pair of high tech shoes that connect wirelessly or by Bluetooth to a computer, sales of running shoes will probably decline sharply. On the other hand, playing sports like tennis, football, baseball, basketball, and indoor volleyball would still require the appropriate shoes. Besides which, these companies sell clothing and accessories by the truckload.

(Photo: Vibram FiveFingers)

Is jogging barefoot a craze or just crazy?

Recent studies suggest humans running barefoot isn't crazy at all and causes less jarring to the joints than running in sneakers. Less jarring equates to fewer injuries.

Without shoes, runners tend to come down on the balls of their feet instead of their heels as with sneakers. Three videos below from the Harvard University Skeletal Biology Lab graphically show the jarring effect of the heel striking the ground (note the transients in the two heel strike videos).

Harvard researchers maintain that running barefoot promotes a forefoot and midfoot strike, the scientific terms for landing on the balls or the middle of the foot.

(Source: SmartPlanet.com, Vibram FiveFingers, Harvard University Skeletal Biology Lab, BBC News)