The makers of Vibram’s FiveFingers minimalist running shoes have placed $3.75 million in an escrow account to reimburse customers who purchased their product after settling a class action lawsuit for deceptive practices.
The lawsuit claimed that Vibram deceived consumers by advertising that their product “reduces foot injuries and strengthens foot muscles.” Although Vibram “expressly [denies] and continues to deny any wrongdoing alleged in the Actions, and neither admits nor concedes any actual or potential fault, wrongdoing or liability,” they agreed to the settlement.
The debate over a proper running technique is never-ending, but the problem with the coverage of the settlement is that it misses the point. Albeit that this quote is from an author at Deadspin, it only serves to detract from the larger issue at hand.
“Bone marrow edema [the precursor to a stress fracture] are more common in subjects who were transitioning to the [Vibram FiveFingers]. In penance for its crimes against fashion and humanity, Vibram has placed $3.75 million into escrow. Those funds will go to the fitness idiots who purchased a pair after March 21, 2009, with up to $94 for each in an effort to help your friends and family not shudder when looking at your feet.”
Another issue I have with the Deadspin piece is that it glosses over relevant scientific information, and in doing so, creates a false perception that bone marrow edema is bad.
What is Bone Marrow Edema?
So what exactly is bone marrow edema? It may sound terrible, but it’s not.
Bone marrow edema essentially means that your bones are getting stressed. Stress is good; it makes us stronger, but too much stress can cause a stress fracture. Lack of stress will make you weaker, which can lead to osteoporotic fracture, muscle weakness and host of other problems.
FiveFingers are fine, but they don’t blow away the other minimalist shoes on the market. We weren’t born with a pair of shoes on our feet. We shouldn’t need them to protect us from anything other than sharp jagged edges. Arch support, heel support, heel cushion, midfoot support, pronation support, supination support, anti roll…it’s ridiculous. When did we become a nation so inclined to seek out support and cushion that we don’t need?
Let me ask you this. When you are lifting weights, do you wear a support in every single exercise? I don’t remember strapping on elbow and shoulder support as I did my pullups and single arm rows yesterday. I create more stress through a single arm row than my arm is used to feeling, but that doesn’t mean I need elbow pads for every lift. As my muscles compensate for the added stress, my ligaments, tendons, and bones get stronger. Just remember not to overstess an area, be it by too much force or by attempting too many reps.
Science is catching up. I urge the author to pick up a textbook or do some research on the Internet before just blindly bashing a company. Heck, I’ll provide some data right here. The rate of injury in runners with midfoot (the barefoot style) strike is much less than those who heel strike. Since you can’t heel strike in minimalist shoes (you would get a stress fracture of your calcaneus) which do you think is better? Multiple studies have shown this. Please, do some research before contributing to misinformation.
Related source: Deadspin, Runner’s World