• agree that the static measure (footprint) is inadequate, that's nothing new to many. the definition of the pronation/overpronation and supination is poorly understood and/agreed upon the professionals (medical, athletes or sports experts) The footprint helps identify the height of the arch but doesn't describe whether the arch is collapse-able. And if the arch collapses, the q's is why... is it due to instability of the calcaneus, or the lack of strength of the muscles that creates/support the arch? or something else?
• btw, I disagree with the response that it's not feasible to watch runners on the treadmill. Tons of running stores in my neighborhood do a simple running gait analysis. Just need to properly train the eyes to watch for the motion of the heel with a runner in a pair of neutral shoes or no shoes at all. With a lil' shoe knowledge. One could easily get the right shoe under 15 minutes.
• need to watch for follow up studies? That is, if New Balance would sponsor them (again)? Surprised that NB doesn't have an "intelligent" respond. Hope this is not the end but just the beginning

I have found barefoot running and running in minimal shoes (like Vibram Five Fingers and Terra Plana EVOs) to have a profound effect on not just my running form, but my ability to run at all. I suffered a severe disc herniation after steadily increasing my running distance in big, thick, modern running shoes (Asics Kayano Gels). I began having what I thought were just muscle pain on my left side, down my leg. After ending up in the emergency room from the pain I went in for an MRI and discovered that the nerve on my left side had been injured.

I ended up needing to have surgery. I began walking (only 1/4 mile at first) in Vibram Five Fingers. I continued to increase my distance and even began running a bit. Because I was landing under my center of gravity, on my forefoot, with a quick cadence and bent knees my back was not hurting any more. I could actually run without pain before I could sit without pain!

The trick is to take it very slowly. The body, especially the foot and leg muscles, need time to be re-conditioned. While I experienced the reduction of injuries in part from barefoot/minimal running, many people end up injuring themselves because they rush into it. Because of this I put together a plan that can be easily overlayed onto an existing running plan. I share it because a number of people have found it helpful.

The 12 Step Program to Run Barefoot: http://bit.ly/cbioml