Rehab and Performance Lab Episode 23: Running Foot Strike, Cadence, and Shoes: What Does the Research Actually Say?

COL (Ret) Don Goss, DPT, PhD, OCS, ATC, a biomechanics researcher and former US Army physical therapist, joins host Phil Plisky to bring clarity to some of the most debated topics in running rehab. Together, they unpack what the research actually says about cadence, foot strike, and footwear, and how that translates to what you should be doing in the clinic. From military data to practical gait retraining tools, this episode gives you a reality check on what matters most for helping runners recover and perform. Whether you're skeptical about minimalist shoes or unsure when to tweak cadence, you’ll walk away with insights you can put to use immediately.Learning ObjectivesAnalyze the evidence around gait retraining strategies for managing running-related injuriesDetermine the clinical situations in which cadence modification and footwear adjustment provide the greatest benefit for runners with pain or previous injurySolve patient case scenarios involving injured runners using video-based gait analysis and biomechanical retraining principlesTimestamps(00:00:00) Welcome(00:00:05) Introduction to running gait and its importance(00:03:45) Understanding running cadence and its impact(00:10:00) The role of footwear in running injuries(00:15:44) Gait retraining: the CLASS program explained(00:26:20) Case studies and practical applications(00:35:57) Key takeaways and future directionsRehab and Performance Lab is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away.To hear more episodes of Rehab and Performance Lab, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/rehab-and-performance-lab⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you’d like to subscribe to Medbridge, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/