I just listened to the interview with Chris M on the Diane Rhemes show and my brain go to churning. I am, obviously, sold on the benefits and enjoyment of BFR and I should have been rooting for Chris more than I was. He seemed willing to contradict an individual who has studied the foot for a decade. He seemed to think he knew more about running than a real honest to Danko expert.
I have seen this pop up from time to time in blogs, in articles, and on the forums. Barefooters seem interested in opposing science. BFR may in fact be a cure all for many, many problems, and it is certainly more enjoyable for me, but we have to be honest and fair. We don't have enough science on this topic yet. There have been less than five studies done on the practice, and all of them did not directly address the question. Five studies, in terms of scientific literature, is nothing.
Chris seems to overstate the science, forgetting perhaps, that the vast body of our evidence is personal and anecdotal and is countered by a larger body of equally anecdotal evidence from the shod side. The point is we don't know yet. The hypothesis is sound, the early evidence is encouraging, but we don't know. It is possible BFR really is bad for you, or maked no difference at all. Not that that should matter. I run this way because it feels better than with the shoes.
I have seen this pop up from time to time in blogs, in articles, and on the forums. Barefooters seem interested in opposing science. BFR may in fact be a cure all for many, many problems, and it is certainly more enjoyable for me, but we have to be honest and fair. We don't have enough science on this topic yet. There have been less than five studies done on the practice, and all of them did not directly address the question. Five studies, in terms of scientific literature, is nothing.
Chris seems to overstate the science, forgetting perhaps, that the vast body of our evidence is personal and anecdotal and is countered by a larger body of equally anecdotal evidence from the shod side. The point is we don't know yet. The hypothesis is sound, the early evidence is encouraging, but we don't know. It is possible BFR really is bad for you, or maked no difference at all. Not that that should matter. I run this way because it feels better than with the shoes.