However, a study finds no evidence that these effects change your stride or tire your leg muscles faster. The researchers looked at 20 experienced runners who ran on a treadmill in four different sessions, wearing three types of shoes and barefoot. Their movement was assessed using 3D motion capture technology, as well as plates on the treadmill that measure force.
Does not increase muscle tension
Although the participants showed a increased compression on the arch longitudinal of the foot more pronounced when they ran barefoot, there was not a similar change with the shoe, even with the selection that represented a great cushioning in the midsole. That means that increasing the thickness of the sole of a running shoe is unlikely to lead to stiffness in your legs and, consequently, in the way you run.
Studies show that runners don’t need to worry about the amount of cushioning when it comes to stride mechanics. The running style will remain natural even with heavy cushioning.
Does any running shoe do?
This information does not mean that we can select any type of running shoes. Running shoes tend to provide more foot support in the midsole, which takes pressure off your toes, heels, and ankles during a run.
Arch support helps prevent injuries, especially overuse injuries like stress fractures and joint pain, as well as tendonitis. Additionally, many runners find that the right shoes can improve performance.
However, if we are runners beginners, heavy cushioning may not be your ideal starting point. Instead, we’ll be testing neutral shoes, meaning they contain a medium amount of cushioning. Later, we can transition to more or less cushioning as we get more familiar with running.
Either way, trying on the shoes can help us get a sense of the overall level of comfort, especially if they feel wobbly or unstable. Feeling wobbly tends to mean we don’t have adequate midsole support because our feet aren’t well supported.