A new type of shoe with very little support is being touted as a way to help runners perform more effectively, but how can such a minimalist shoe protect the foot? Kendrick Whitney, a podiatrist at Temple who specializes in shoe form and function, says that overall, the shoes promote better flexibility and balance, but the key is to slowly transition from a traditional running shoe into these "barefoot shoes." "People get into trouble when they try to run for too long, too fast, on the wrong surface," said Whitney.