This is another one of calling out the loons post! Grounding or earthing has all the hallmarks and characteristics associated with it being snake oil and pseudoscientific woo. The gullible are falling for the dubious marketing of those with a product to sell. The claims made by those who promote it are a great source […]
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Review: The Lydiard EB Brütting Road Runner!
Arthrur Lydiard is probably one of the, if not the, most influential running coaches ever. I had the privilege of knowing him and doing some work with him in my dark distant past. Whenever I see his name mentioned, I tend to pay attention. Occasionally, I have seen his name used in the context of […]
Foot Pronation and Leg Length Differences
This is a disappointing article to write as I been going on about it for more than 15 yrs, have written about it before in several other places and so have a lot of other people, but the myth just won’t go away. The myth is that when there is a leg length difference, the […]
Joint contact loading in forefoot and rearfoot strike patterns during running
I am at the airport at the moment and this new study just turned up. I thought it was worth putting up without writing much as I don’t have that much time. I am going to be travelling for the next 36 hrs, so may not get back to finish writing about this research for […]
Increasing cadence and patellofemoral forces
Hot on the heels of the study from last week on Barefoot vs Shod and patellofemoral joint stresses which showed that running barefoot reduced patellofemoral stress by 12%, we now have another new study that looked at patellofemoral loads and cadence: Increasing Running Step Rate Reduces Patellofemoral Joint Forces Lenhart, Rachel L.; Thelen, Darryl G.; […]
Running Shoes and Economy of Running
The effect of the type of running shoe as well as running technique on economy of running has obviously been of interest in recent years. It can often be a trade-off between the weight of a shoe; the energy return from the shoe; and the increased muscular effort to midfoot or forefoot strike (and the […]
Running and the Risk for Osteoarthritis
You still see the claims being made in forums and blogs that heel striking and the cushioned supportive shoes increase stress on the joints and therefore those that heel strike and wear these shoes are going to get more osteoarthritis later in life. I have previously discussed the debacle that followed the release of one […]
Increased Lower Limb Loading with use of Minimalist Running Shoes
Impact loads are widely believed to be associated with some injuries in runners, though the evidence for that is not overly compelling, but it does make sense that reducing impacts may help prevent overuse injuries in runners. A number of different strategies can be used for this and one that is commonly advocated is the […]
Foot Strike Pattern and Performance in a 50km Trail Race
Previously I posted about a descriptive study on the Foot strike pattern and performance in a marathon; now we have this one for a 50km trail race: The relationship of foot strike pattern, shoe type, and performance in a 50-km trail race Kasmer, Mark E.; Liu, Xue-cheng; Roberts, Kyle G.; Valadao, Jason M. Journal of […]
The ‘abductory twist’ during gait
The abductory twist during gait is not a condition and not a diagnosis. It is an observation during gait (specifically at the time of heel off or heel unweighting) that is reasonably common and can be due to a number of underlying entities. In an abductory twist, there is a rapid abduction of the heel, […]
Barefoot vs Shod and patellofemoral joint stresses
There is an increasing number of studies on patellofemoral pain syndrome or anterior knee pain in runners and the affects of gait changes on the biomechanics of it. The British Journal of Sports Medicine just published this: Take your shoes off to reduce patellofemoral joint stress during running Jason Bonacci, Bill Vicenzino, Wayne Spratford, Paul […]
Anthropometric characteristics of top-class Kenyan marathon runners
Not much to say: Anthropometric characteristics of top-class Kenyan marathon runners. Vernillo G, Schena F, Berardelli C, Rosa G, Galvani C, Maggioni M, Agnello L, La Torre A. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2013 Aug;53(4):403-408. Aim: This study aims to: 1) describe the current anthropometric profiles of Kenyan marathon runners and 2) establish a set […]
Weightbearing Exercise for those with Diabetes
I don’t need to preach to the converted about the health benefits of running (or any form of exercise) for those with diabetes. Among other things its going to help general well-being; helps with weight control; and it has some specific benefits such as increasing insulin sensitivity. It is not without its dangers in terms […]
It’s My Way or the Highway
I can’t take any credit for this; but I have long been a reader of PsychBlog and their latest post struck a cord with me and am sure it will with a lot of other people: It’s My Way or the Highway: Why People Are Evangelists for Their Own Way of Life Does that sound […]
Running Economy and Shoe Heel Height
I don’t know what to say: Effect of Shoes’ Heel Height on the Energy Cost during Jogging Y.D. Gu and Z.Y. Li Research Journal of Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology July 15, 2013 The purpose of this study is to examine the changes of energy cost during a high-heeled continuous jogging. Thirteen healthy female volunteers […]