title: Prospective comparison of running injuries between shod and barefoot runners.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Advocates of barefoot running suggest that it is more natural and may be a way to minimise injury risk. In contrast, opponents believe shoes are needed to adequately cushion and support the foot. However, to date, there have been no prospective studies of injury patterns in barefoot and shod runners. The purpose of this study was to compare the incidence and rate of injuries between shod and barefoot runners.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective survey was conducted over the course of a year among 201 (107 barefoot and 94 shod) adult runners. Information regarding injuries and mileage was logged monthly using a custom, web-based database program. The number of injured runners, number of injuries per runner and injury rates were compared between habitual barefoot and habitual shod runners. Both musculoskeletal and plantar surface injuries were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistically fewer overall, diagnosed, musculoskeletal injuries/runner were noted in the barefoot group. However, injury rates were not statistically different between groups due to significantly less mileage run in the barefoot group. As expected, barefoot runners sustained a statistically greater number of injuries to the plantar surface of the foot. The descriptive analysis suggests a greater number of calf injuries, but lower number of knee and hip injuries in the barefoot group. Additionally barefoot runners reported less plantar fasciitis than the shod group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Barefoot running is associated with fewer overall musculoskeletal injuries/runner, but similar injury rates. A larger scale cohort is needed to more accurately assess differences in individual injuries between these two groups.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA.
authors.forename: Allison R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Altman
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding National Running Centre, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Irene S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Davis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D018409:Foot Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D025981:Hip Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012420:Running / Q000293:injuries*; D012775:Shoes; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Injuries; Running