Having Multiple Running Shoes Lowers Injury Risks

A new study has confirmed an old advice to use more than just one running shoe.  Findings from the Sports Medicine Research Laboratory in Lexumburg showed that runners who use multiple shoes has 39% less risk of injury compared to runners who only have one pair of shoes.

We previously shared a running tip that Two Shoes are Better than One.  The research finally has a data to back up this advice.

The results were based on a 22-week study of 264 runners.  One group of runners have only one pair of shoes being used 91% of the time during the duration of the study.  Another group of runners use more than one pair, with one main shoe being worn 58% of the time.

Researchers have found that those who were multiple shoe runners have 39% less incidence of running-related injury or RRI.  RRI is defined in the study as “a physical pain or complaint located at the lower limbs or lower back region, sustained during or as a result of running practice and impeding planned running activity for at least 1 day. ”

The study also showed that cross training helps in reducing running-related injuries.

However, the research was not able to explain why having multiple shoes lessen the risk.  They only speculate that it may be due to the alternation of running pattern and varying of the forces being used by different shoes while running.

For example, Running Shoe A have better support for the arch while Running Shoe B has better support for the heels.  Thus, alternating them can provide more support than having just one pair of shoes.

I do recommend having more than one pair of shoes.  I have one pair of shoes for races and speed workouts and another pair for the regular weekly runs.  So far, I have no major running injuries except for the usual pain after a tough and exhausting run.