So-called “super shoes” have invaded the jogging paths of America, giving runners an extra spring in their step and trimming times posted at races and events.
But this advanced footwear technology (AFT) might have a darker side, a new study says.
The shoes cause subtle changes in running mechanics that have been linked to bone stress injuries, researchers reported recently in PM&R, journal of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
“Our study highlights the need for careful integration of AFT into training and underscores the importance of further research to better understand long-term strategies to modify risk for injury while recognizing the exciting gains related to this footwear on performance,” senior researcher Dr. Adam Tenforde, director of running medicine at Mass General Brigham in Boston, said in a news release.
Super shoes are equipped with a carbon fiber plate and thick, lightweight foam stacks that work together to enhance forward propulsion while a person is running, according to the Mayo Clinic. Learn more…
