Tag Archives: sports injury

Army Study Challenges Barefoot Running

It’s a sad time for minimalist runners. First Vibram agreed that it would pay out $3.75 million to runners who bought its FiveFingers shoes.

I'm not ready to hang up my Vibram FiveFingers. (Photo by Laird Harrison)
I’m not ready to hang up my Vibram FiveFingers. (Photo by Laird Harrison)

This is the glove-like footwear that allows you to wriggle your toes, and feel almost as natural as going barefoot.

Then last week the whole minimal/barefoot running movement suffered a setback when the U.S. Army presented a big study casting more doubt on the benefits of running this way.

If you’ve got a pair of FiveFingers, you can now return them for $20-$94, and go back the thick-heeled running shoes that have dominated sports store shelves since the 1970s.

Or you can send them to me (size 81/2). I am a true believer. Continue reading Army Study Challenges Barefoot Running

This Blog Could Save Your Life

If you are sitting down while you’re reading this, please stand up. Now sit down again. And up.

If you could do that about every 10 minutes all day, you would probably live a longer life. But I know I couldn’t. It would be incredibly boring.

I would much rather get my exercise playing some sort of game. Most people have enjoyed sports at some point in their lives, but too many think they are too old. They’re afraid of injury, which is the point of this blog. So lots of people to whom I’ve described it said right away that they could see the need.

On the other hand, a few wise asses have told me they already know how to avoid sports injuries — by not doing sports.

My question for them, is “What will you do instead?” If the answer is “walking” or “gardening” or “exercise with Gloria and her six daughters”

Photo by Kevin Dooley
Photo by Kevin Dooley

or some other sort of non-sport physical exercise, I say, “Fine. Don’t read my blog.” But for those who refuse any exercise, I’d like to point out a couple of recent studies. Continue reading This Blog Could Save Your Life