Minimalist Running Shoes and Injury Risk Among United States Army Soldiers

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Biomechanics
• Military Health

Background:

• Minimalist running shoes (MRS) are characterized by lightness, extreme flexibility, and minimal cushioning.
• It has been hypothesized that MRS may enhance running performance and reduce injury incidence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare physical characteristics, fitness performance, and injury risks between soldiers wearing MRS and traditional running shoes (TRS).

Main Methods:

• A case series study involving 1332 male soldiers in a US Army brigade.
• Data on physical characteristics, fitness tests, and footwear type (MRS vs. TRS) were collected.
• Injury data from the preceding 12 months were obtained, and statistical analyses were performed to compare groups and control for risk factors.

Main Results:

• The majority of soldiers wore traditional shoes (57% cushioning, 24% stability).
• Soldiers wearing MRS (17%) were younger and demonstrated superior performance in push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, and 2-mile run times compared to TRS users.
• After controlling for confounding variables, no significant difference in injury risk was found between soldiers wearing MRS and TRS.

Conclusions:

• Soldiers self-selecting minimalist running shoes exhibited higher physical performance metrics.
• The choice of minimalist running shoes, when controlling for individual performance differences, was not associated with an increased or decreased risk of injury in this military population.