The most natural way for children to run?
There has been much written recently concerning the debate over how much cushioning is good for your running shoes, with both sides putting up good points. But one facet on the debate which has gone ignored is the effect of both types of footwear on developing feet, and which kind are better for growing children.
This has now changed with new research from Dr Mick Wilkinson, of Northumbria University, who is advising parents to advise to kit out their kids in in old-fashioned plimsolls, rather than highly-cushioned state-of-the art running shoes.
His research says that the flat soles encourage runners to land gently on the middle of the foot, rather than landing heavily down on the heel, cutting the risk of injury and even helping you run faster.
Many parents, though, under pressure from their children, end up buying expensive trendy trainers, which Dr Wilkinson thinks may end up doing lasting damage, as once children become accustomed to running in trainers using their cushioned heels they find it difficult to learn to run more naturally.
Tech Runner 