Update - March 2016Vibram has settled a class action suit brought against them for false and misleading advertising. The users of Vibram Five Fingers shoes can receive compensation. It has only been perhaps six years since Daniel Lieberman appeared on YouTube, subtley flogging Vibram Five Finger Shoes. This advertising was in the form of a independent interview, but the Vibram logo appeared prominently in the background, therefore it was another expression of clientelism. It also has been six years since he was informed that his promotion of Vibram barefoot shoes as protective devices makes him accountable for many injured runners.Update - October 2011I predicted greater than one year ago that minimalist shoes would behave as any other expensive shoe in protecting against injury because of the plantar sensory environment associated with their use. Now reports are appearing, and sports medicine physicians are seeing injured patients suggesting that minimalist shoes (particularly Vibram Five Fingers) are associated with frequent injuries, and they often occur shortly after commencing use. The pattern of injury resembles that of injuries with traditional running shoes, with frequent metatarsal head damage. Since sparing of the metatarsals has been shown to be associated with barefoot locomotion, minimalist shoes fail to resemble the bare foot in protecting against injury. Despite considerable experimental data to the contrary, Daniel Liberman suggested that minimalist shoes closely resemble barefoot locomotion, thereby suggesting that they protect against injury similarly. How many injuries can be accounted for by his report which may have resulted in a false sense of security in users of minmalist shoes, and particularly wearers of Vibram products? Giulliani j, Masini B, Alitz C, Owens BD. Barefoot-simulating footwear associated with metatarsal stress injury in 2 runners Orthopedics, 2011 jul7;34(7):e320-3 Robbins S, Waked E. Hazard of deceptive advertising of athletic footwear. Br J Sports Med. 1997 December; 31(4): 299–303. Robbins S, Gouw GJ, McClaran J, Waked E. Protective sensation of the plantar aspect of the foot. Foot Ankle. 1993 Jul-Aug;14(6):347-52. Zipfel, B. & Berger, L.R. Shod versus unshod: the emergence of forefoot pathology in modern humans. The Foot: The International Journal Of Foot Science - Volume 17, issue 4 - December 2007) Why we should all be concerned about Lieberman's scientific misconduct
Daniel Lieberman - Clientelism through pseudoscience to sell shoes
AUGUST 16TH 2010, I wrote:
regards,
Steven
|