Can Minimalist Shoes Be Good for Your Feet?

Running in a minimalist shoe may be good for increasing foot strength. Researchers compared the effects of wearing traditional running shoes to a minimalist shoe with five separate toes and minimal to no cushioning or support. After a six-month running program, those wearing the minimalist shoes experienced an increase in mean volume of the forefoot and rearfoot of 11.9% and 6.6%, respectively, while those wearing traditional running shoes experienced no such gains. The findings suggest that transitioning to this type of shoe may help strengthen the muscular components of the foot core system, indicating its potential application in a rehabilitation program for injured and weak foot muscles. Hong Kong Polytechnic University, September 2016