A study by the University of Florida reveals that runners using thick-heeled shoes are more likely to sustain injuries compared to those wearing flatter shoes. The research underscores the importance of shoe design in preventing running injuries.
Runners who favor thick-heeled sneakers are at a higher risk of injury than those who choose flatter shoes, according to a comprehensive study from the University of Florida.
The research, one of the most extensive of its kind, revealed that runners in thick-heeled shoes struggled to accurately gauge their foot strike with each step, which likely contributed to higher injury rates. This study compiled data from over 700 runners across six years, providing a robust data set unparalleled in previous research.
The researchers recommend flatter shoes for most runners, but they caution that “transitioning to a different shoe type or foot strike pattern” must be done gradually so as to avoid injuries.
Lead author Heather Vincent, a director of the UF Health Sports Performance Center, shared her personal experience.
“I had to teach myself to get out of the big, high-heeled shoes down to something with more moderate cushioning and to work on foot strengthening,” Vincent said in a news release. “It may take up to six months for it to feel natural. It’s a process.”
The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, found that the confusion in foot strike detection caused by thick-heeled shoes was significantly linked to injury risk. These shoes often feature a substantial heel-to-toe drop, which can make it challenging for runners to understand how their feet hit the ground, complicating injury prevention efforts.
“The shoe lies between the foot and the ground, and features like a large heel-to-toe drop make it more challenging for runners to identify how they’re striking the ground. That clouds how we retrain people or determine if someone is at risk for future injury,” Vincent added.
She noted that runners who accurately detected mid- or fore-foot striking typically wore shoes with a lower heel-to-toe drop, lighter weight and a wider toe box.
Future research aims to explore whether altering shoe types could improve runners’ accuracy in foot strike detection and lower injury rates. These upcoming controlled studies could pinpoint the true causes of common running injuries and provide effective prevention guidelines.
Vincent emphasized the broader goal of their research.
“We want to translate what we find to meaningful ways to help runners modify their form to reduce injury risk and keep them healthy for the long term,” she added.
This pivotal study adds to the growing body of evidence highlighting the critical role that footwear plays in running mechanics and injury prevention. It underscores the importance of selecting the right running shoes and transitioning gradually to new types to avoid potential harm.