A while ago I posted a couple of articles on barefoot running. This was at the height of the minimalist craze, when runners of all types looked to minimalist shoes as a miracle cure for their running issues. At the time, there was no empirical evidence that barefoot running reduced injury rates.

Well, it looks like the science is finally here. A study published in January’s Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise gives substance to the long-unsubstantiated claim. It ends with the conclusion that runners landing on their forefeet (as is encouraged by minimalist footwear) are less injury prone. More precisely, they suffer half (!) the amount of stress injuries. A quick, fair synopsis of the article can be found here.

So should you go out and buy a pair of FiveFingers? Not necessarily. It still takes patience and commitment to safely adjust to barefoot-style running. But this study provides, for the first time ever, real evidence that your efforts will be rewarded.