17. Barefoot Running: Conspiracies and Controversies

All doctrines have demons, some more literal than others. What I mean by this is that ideologies tend to endure because they’ve a common antagonist against whom proponents can rally. For example, the Abrahamic religions brandish the Devil; politicians demonize members and policies of the opposing party; athletes and supporters unite against an opposing sports team; homeopaths fuel fear of “big pharma”; and proponents of the keto diet denounce carbohydrates, or “big carb,” for their role in diabetes, inflammation, and cardiovascular disease. In the world of barefoot running, it’s the modern sneaker industry, condemned for supplying generations of runners with highly cushioned soles that have weakened their leg muscles, collapsed the arches of their feet, and predisposed them to high rates of injury.

• The Skeptic's Guide to Sports Science book: https://www.nbtiller.com
• Skeptical Inquirer magazine: https://www.skepticalinquirer.org
• Original article & references: https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/barefoot-running-conspiracies-and-controversies/

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