Navy prohibits Vibram FiveFingers shoes and other minimalist athletic footwear

For your information,Despite concerns from its own medical professionals, the Navy has decided to reverse a policy that prohibits Vibram FiveFingers shoes and other minimalist athletic footwear in certain situations(Still not clear whether  include MBTS).

In a fleetwide message released Aug. 5, the Navy expressly allows the shoes, which are designed with little to no support or cushioning in an attempt to mimic the sensations of barefoot running. Devotees of the shoes say they reduce the likelihood of injuries, but the sports medicine community has mixed feelings about the footwear.The policy specifically allows the wearing of “shoes that allow the foot to function naturally without providing additional support or cushioning” with the physical training uniform. They may be worn during command and individual physical training as well as the physical readiness test.

The Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery has concerns about the bare-bones shoes (which may be include Vibram FiveFingers shoes,MBT SHOES and other footcare shoes )and has warned against their use.

“With musculoskeletal injuries as the No. 1 deployment limiting condition among military personnel, Navy leadership must take responsibility for the safety and well-being of our personnel during unit physical training. While intended for running, barefoot-style running mechanics have not been determined to be safe or effective for all runners,” BUMED spokeswoman Shoshona Pilip-Florea said.

“Encouraging the appropriate footwear for an activity is the first line of defense against sports-related injuries. Therefore, given the current evidence, Navy Medicine cannot recommend the use of minimalist footwear in command directed physical training activities.”

Recently, the Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center and the Center for Personal and Professional Development reviewed medical literature on minimalist shoes and found insufficient evidence to prove or disprove that the shoes are effective or safe. The review also determined that the shoes (include MBT SHOES )strengthen arches, reduce pronation — where either the inner or outer edge of the foot strikes the ground first — and encourage softer landings.