So someone explain to me...

[Hombre Secreto]

Originally Posted by Crane's

Try the experiment and see for yourself.

OK

 

[LawrenceMD]

Originally Posted by Hombre Secreto

So ASICS wouldn't help runners?

its true. shoes will help immensely with protecting your feet from the ground but its not guarantee that your knees are being saved because you're wearing asics' tanks (kayanos/nimbus/ect).

its all in the form. there is a term used in running parlance: "biomechanically efficient runner"

it basically means someone who lands midfoot/forefoot with knee bent, and foot landing near under the body (not ahead). these runners benifit from great form to the point that shoes are well only there to protect the feet from the elements. so the less shoe the better (hence the use of super light running flats for guys even running in marathons).

and tycoon, dude if you're training in boxing well then the whole boxing stance defense/offense is basically always on the balls of your feet. so just the way you bounce around the ring (like ali) makes boxers more biomechanically efficient in every way (think of all the jump rope and punching, its all bouncing on the balls of the feet and being super light on the feet).

so that means banging out 5 miles with great lightfooted/forefoot/midfoot/ landing is easier on your knees because of the ideal form.

even traditional boxing shoes (super thin leather sole/snug fit/flexible) promote it.

 

[Working Stiff]

Here's an article on different running surfaces:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/...rticle1342046/

Basically: we don't know how or if running on asphalt causes more injuries than running on grass.

Also from LawrenceMD's post: "these runners benifit from great form to the point that shoes are well only there to protect the feet from the elements. so the less shoe the better (hence the use of super light running flats for guys even running in marathons)."

Note that the vast majority of high level marathoners run in regular training shoes most of the time (not lightweight racing flats). Only for faster efforts - such as racing - will they wear lightweight racing flats. You're not wrong in what you say, but you're over-simplifying it. For all the pose running zealots on the internet, it is in fact a fringe movement within the running community. There are plenty of good runners, with good running form, who are quite happy getting the extra cushioning and support of ordinary trainers. The guys doing all their mileage in vibram five fingers are few and far between.

 

[Saigon]

Originally Posted by Working Stiff

Here's an article on different running surfaces:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/...rticle1342046/

Basically: we don't know how or if running on asphalt causes more injuries than running on grass.

Also from LawrenceMD's post: "these runners benifit from great form to the point that shoes are well only there to protect the feet from the elements. so the less shoe the better (hence the use of super light running flats for guys even running in marathons)."

Note that the vast majority of high level marathoners run in regular training shoes most of the time (not lightweight racing flats). Only for faster efforts - such as racing - will they wear lightweight racing flats. You're not wrong in what you say, but you're over-simplifying it. For all the pose running zealots on the internet, it is in fact a fringe movement within the running community. There are plenty of good runners, with good running form, who are quite happy getting the extra cushioning and support of ordinary trainers. The guys doing all their mileage in vibram five fingers are few and far between.

I've found this to be true speaking with experienced runners. The ones that use shoes closer to barefoot (nike frees, VFFs, etc) use them as a training tool to strengthen muscles and ligaments and to promote a more efficient gait. They might use them for one run or a few kms a week, while doing the rest of their training in conventional shoes.