Individuals using thick-heeled sneakers exhibit a greater risk of injury compared to those who wear flatter footwear, a recent study has revealed.
Wearers of thick-heeled shoes appear to struggle with accurately sensing how their feet land with each stride, which likely contributes to the increased rates of injury, as noted in the research published in the journal Frontiers in Sports and Active Living.
Researchers from the University of Florida advocate for flatter footwear for most runners, as it is associated with reduced injury risks.
However, they advise runners to gradually transition to flatter shoes, as a swift switch to a new type of shoe or changing foot strike patterns can also lead to injury risks.
“It may take up to six months for it to feel natural. It’s a process,” stated study lead author Heather Vincent. “I had to train myself to move from the bulky, high-heeled shoes to something with more moderate cushioning and work on strengthening my feet.”
While earlier studies have demonstrated a connection between foot strike patterns, types of shoes, and running injuries, establishing the precise interaction among these elements has been challenging, according to the researchers.
In the latest study, they evaluated data gathered over six years from nearly 700 runners regarding their footwear type and injury history, alongside objective information about their running gait obtained through specialized treadmills and motion capture footage.
After accounting for factors like age, weight, running frequency, and competitiveness, scientists discovered that shoes with larger heels confounded runners about their gait.
This confusion, researchers assert, was “strongly associated” with injury.
“This complicates how we retrain individuals or ascertain if someone is susceptible to future injury.”
The study indicated that runners who accurately recognized their mid- or fore-foot striking tended to have “very distinct shoes.”
Such runners utilized shoes with a “lower heel-to-toe drop; lighter; and a wider toe box.”
Although the study illustrates a correlation between injuries and wearing high-heeled footwear, researchers note that there is still no definitive evidence that such footwear “causes” these injuries.
In further investigations, they aspire to conduct controlled experiments to pinpoint the true origins of common injuries among runners and propose remedies.
“We aim to translate our findings into practical strategies to assist runners in modifying their form to diminish injury risk and promote their long-term health,” Dr. Vincent concluded.