The Importance of Anecdotal Evidence Versus Scientific Evidence

Do you trust the science or the word? Although the bark may be worst than the bite, the hype can be more expensive. Look at the popular brands of bikes, swim-goggles, tri-suits, running shoes, sunglasses and your next race – it is quite obvious that influence plays a big part in building brands.

Many advertisements today, tout their products, with gleaming scientific references. Referencing to research can be a powerful process, as according to Robert B. Cialdini, PhD., Social Proof gives us ample reason to justify our purchases. When champions or leading age-groupers promote products through their endorsements, we may be easily swayed by their preferences or biases. Social media 2.0 are active agents of promotion or demotion; they can make or break brand reputations, and also bust our wallets.

How often have you been influenced by your friends? How often have you responded to recommendations by your podium-placing sporting buddies? Like it, or like it more, we are influenced by people’s feedback.

Some of the cloudy areas of product science in endurance sports are:

1)    Use of compression sports for racing.

2)    Use of ornamental aids that claim to have promote passive healing or health benefits (example: use of titanium powder or titanium strips, magnets, or copper).

3)    Use of singular nutrients that have ergogenic (sports-enhancing) properties and impact on the body. These include caffeine, Co-enzyme Q10, antioxidant-loaded foods, quinoa, wheat-grass, glucosamine, etc.

4)    Types of shoes that are designed to be minimalist (Examples: Vibram Five Fingers, running sandals, etc).

5)    Recovery methods like ice-baths, deep-tissue massage, chiropractic and compression-wear.

Despite in conclusion evidence at this point in time, the caveat stands: If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it! If it makes you feel good, keep doing it. The study on placebos and the Placebo Effect is huge and voluminous. Mind-over-body coupled with medicine and nutrients seem to be the most synergistic and complementary.

However, protect your eyes and skin! Never compromise the largest organ on your body, and the most observant ones. Slap on the high SPF and wear those sunnies!

Breaking Away From Tradition

A few weeks ago, I shared my book review of Christopher McDougall’s Born To Run (2009). In his narrative, McDougall reports, both scientifically and anecdotally, how he discovered the incredible fitness of the Tarahumara tribe in Mexico who live privately, and run effortlessly – with no injuries.

Yesterday, after collecting my racekit at Velocity, I acquired my first pair of Vibram Five Fingers® Bikila (after the amazing Olympic champion, Abebe). These are thin-soled shoes that were modeled after barefoot running. When I posted on Facebook on who ran barefooted occasionally, I received a quite a few responses from my friends. Some were adamant about running with shoes; others were strong proponents and promoters of running naked.

Running without shoes, has been around for a long time. The top Kenyan runners used to run barefooted until they won races and got sponsored. There is a fascinating argument about whether running with thin-soled shoes and contemporary running shoes causes the most injuries. The question has emerged: Does running with running shoes cause more injuries than running without them? Shod or no shod? Injuries seem to prevail regardless of shoes, or not.

I was also surprised that the Vibram Five Fingers® cost just as much as normal running shoes. As I was fitting myself with a few pairs of the sock-like shoe in the relatively crowded shoe section, all of the patrons looked curiously on and even asked the shoe expert at the store questions about them.

I know that a pair of these well-moulded socks cost a fair bit. However, being scientific I need to test it on subjects. Anecdotal evidence is relevant to a certain point, until you test it out. My approach is Test-Operate-Test-Exit. Having experienced mild injury-like symptoms (having no history of major joint injuries at all for decades), I decided to re-educate my feet and entire musculoskeletal system. Having attended and practiced Chi Running for the last few years, I have learnt to focus on my core stability while in dynamic motion.

As strongly encouraged by my barefoot running friends, I will ease into the mileage gradually. No point being hurt during the transition; although I should expect a degree of soreness. I have a half-marathon race this weekend. I confirmed my accommodation in Berlin already, and look forward to some sustainable speed in my legs in the weeks to come. Hoo-Ah!