Shin splints is a common injury occurring in runners, resulting in pain along the front of the lower leg. Shin splints are caused by repetitive weight-bearing exercise and is an overuse injury often found in runners or athletes, according to Dr. Belinda Beck in a 2008 article for the American College of Sports Medicine. Beck adds that overuse injuries, such as shin splints, result when the increased load on the body from weight-bearing activities occurs too quickly, and the body does not have time to replace and strengthen the tissues in the lower leg. Shin splints can be prevented in part by wearing proper running shoes and using correct form while running.
Specialized Running Shoes
According to Milan Running, shin splints occurs when the runner's shoes lack support and allow too much movement. Therefore, appropriate shoes for runners with shin splints would provide sufficient support that also have cushions and shock absorbers to help soften the impact of running. Milan Running also claims that shoes with movement control are appropriate for runners with shin splints, as they help control the movement of the foot and help to keep the foot aligned with the knee and ankle.
Shock Absorbing Shoes
There are several running shoes on the market designed specifically to help with shin splints by absorbing shock and providing cushioning to runners. Kelsey Childress for Trails website writes that the Asics GEL series, which includes the Kayano, Nimbus, or Evolution styles, uses GEL technology to help absorb shock and provide cushioning and stability. Childress also states that the New Balance 850 series and the Mizuno Wave shoes are known for providing excellent cushioning to reduce shock that is usually transferred to the knees and shins, and have been long used by marathon runners to help prevent shin splints.
Stability and Movement Control
The American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine (AAPSM) claims that shoes with proper stability help prevent the runner from over-pronating the foot, or rolling the foot inwards, which can lead to shin splints. The AAPSM recommends shoes from the Asics GEL series, Adidas Supernova sequence, Mizuno Wave series, and most shoes from Brooks or New Balance to help with stability.
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