Scientists and clinicians have been wrestling with the problem of how to prevent running injuries over the past 30+ years. While there have been incremental gains in reducing injury rates throughout this timeframe it's still seems like there's a long way to go before running is less dangerous, injury performance perspective, competitive soccer or even downhill skiing.
Footwear manufactures have been motivated to positively influence this injury rate through advances material design and footwear composition with limited success. This injury problem is often considered from the perspective of can running shoes prevent injuries; however, there is value in broadening conversation to consider simply is footwear relevant in the incidence of injury. Taken from this latter viewpoint, the following presentation discusses footwear’s role as both the cause and cure for running related pain.