Running barefoot the way to go?

[JoeKing]

Interesting Study about running barefoot

Once the weather warms up a bit I might try this out. I wonder how hard it will be to break the heel running habit...

I wonder if you can train yourself to run "properly" while still wearing running shoes.

 

[bignateyk]

Yeah, until you step on a piece of glass or a nail or something.

 

[KeithTalent]

I will remain a shod runner. Running barefoot does not sound fun to me at all.

KT

 

[JoeKing]

Yeah, until you step on a piece of glass or a nail or something.

You know I was thinking something similar as I watched the footage of the guy running in the streets of a city.

 

[darkxshade]

<--- Health and Fitness will help

Vibram Five Fingers... google it

 

[MiniDoom]

I see a guy on the MUP by my house all the time running barefoot. haven't tried it myself.

 

[MotF Bane]

It's too bad we don't have a forum for fitness related activities that keep you healthy.

 

[ChaoZ]

Interesting Study about running barefoot

Once the weather warms up a bit I might try this out. I wonder how hard it will be to break the heel running habit...

I wonder if you can train yourself to run "properly" while still wearing running shoes.

This always comes up once in a while.
http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/indexNA.cfm

 

[JoeKing]

This always comes up once in a while.
http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/indexNA.cfm

lol! that just looks so wrong... like those socks with the spaces for your toes

 

[JoeKing]

It's too bad we don't have a forum for fitness related activities that keep you healthy.

WUUAHHH?! Back in my day there were just 10 forums, and you were lucky to have them!


but mods feel free to move if you see "fit" <-----YES, my pun a day is complete!

 

[edro]

I see the high school soccer team practicing barefoot at the high school close to my house.
They have a nice astroturf field though.

I read an article about this a few years ago.
They said that if you go straight out and run barefoot on your front pad, you can damage your calf muscles because they have not been trained to rin taht way your entire life.

I think it would be good to run every now and then like that.
It probably helps strengthen rarely used portions of your legs.

 

[dougp]

lol! that just looks so wrong... like those socks with the spaces for your toes

They're odd at first, and your pinky toe has NO WHERE near the correct amount of strength to wear them for more than an hour at a time. I want to get the "casual" style to wear around since mine are the running pair that are grey and lime green.

 

[SlitheryDee]

I already strike the ground with my forefoot when running shod. I walk like that too. I have been lead to believe that this is a bad habit my entire life and have tried unsuccessfully to break it. People say that I "tip-toe" everywhere.

It would be pretty funny (and fortuitous) if it is discovered that my way has been better all along.

 

[SunnyD]

Yes and no. If you're running on "soft" ground (dirt/grass, sand, soil, etc) - the human anatomy is designed to be barefoot. If you're running on man made "hard" surfaces such as concrete or asphalt, then you do more harm because the ground doesn't give causing far more stress on your joints and ligaments.

 

[InflatableBuddha]

The debate about running shod vs. barefoot rages on.

However, midfoot-forefoot striking is more effective and less liable to cause injuries. When you shorten your stride and increase your cadence (turnover), your feet tend to land closer in line with your body rather than way out in front as they would with an extreme heel strike. As your footstrike becomes closer in line with your body, it is more natural to midfoot-forefoot strike and toe-off.

The main benefits of midfoot-forefoot striking are increased propulsion and efficiency (you don't lose as much kinetic energy as you do when you heel strike and rock forward), and less risk of injury, since impacts are less forceful.

I have personally modified my running style to become more of a mid-foot striker, with increased toe-off. Though I have reduced heel-striking, I haven't eliminated it completely (I can tell by looking at wear patterns on my old shoes).

That said, (minimal) shoes are the best way to go. There are many surfaces (gravel, asphalt, etc.) which are simply too harsh/sharp/hard to run barefoot on, though I agree that running barefoot on softer surfaces can be ok.

The most elite runners in the world still wear running shoes, and many of them still have a slight heel-strike. The day I see barefoot runners winning major marathons in close to 2 hours is the day I'll change over.

Check out the photo on this book cover - at least 4 of the runners are heel-striking to some degree:

 

[Hey Zeus]

yeah, until you step on a piece of glass or a nail or something.

qft!!!

 

[lxskllr]

Being barefoot is generally better all around imo. If your body did better with shoes, you'd have been born with them. For protection, I'd wear something like a climbers shoe. Just a skin to protect against cuts and abrasion on modern surfaces.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Interesting Study about running barefoot

Once the weather warms up a bit I might try this out. I wonder how hard it will be to break the heel running habit...

I wonder if you can train yourself to run "properly" while still wearing running shoes.

Yes, I've learned while wearing shoes. You need to find minimal(flexible, reduced heel) shoes. I've been doing it for years.

 

[Modelworks]

There was a study done years ago with people who have to stand all day. The ones without shoes said it was better than wearing shoes and less fatigue in the legs and joints.
Of course going to work without shoes has other problems.


There are also a lot of people wearing the wrong shoes. Most people just buy shoes based on looks and assume they are supposed to feel that way. Just because it is a size 10 and fits does not meant it is the right shoe. I saw that one of the shoe or insert companies now has a pressure pad for people to stand on in store to see how their foot is different from others. Haven't tried one myself but that could help many people.

Before they knew x-rays were harmful they had machines people put their feet into then the people could look through the viewer to see the bones move and the fit of the shoe. They even had machines for multiple viewers so moms and kids could view together.


Found the foot mapping site:
http://www.footmapping.com/

 

[surfsatwerk]

I've been wearing those Vibram Five Fingers for several months now. As a big man, 6'1" 305lbs, the barefoot style of running has made an enormous difference. My ankles and knees used to kill me after a run. Planting on my forefoot I can really feel the weight in my thighs and shins and off my joints.

I'm no marathoner, but the change has allowed me to run a lot more than I used to.

 

[n7]

No surprise here.

But yeah, i don't see how i can benefit from this as there's no way in hell i'm stepping outside w/o shoes.

Way too many ways for me to puncture my feet in a hurry w/o 'em

 

[thedarkwolf]

I have a pair of NIKE Free shoes. They aren't as crazy as Vibram Five Fingers but are really comfortable. I don't run though.

 

[HydroSqueegee]

did no one ever 'run on their toes' as a kid? thats how ive always run. anytime i land heel first my entire body jidders and vision goes all wonkey

 

[Fritzo]

Nike's Free line of shoes gives the feeling of barefoot running with some foot protection.

I tried barefoot running last year but kept stubbing my toes.

 

[ModerateRepZero]

it's best to run barefoot on soft surfaces, like sandy beaches or grass, although obviously you do have to worry about stepping on nails or any other sharp/spiky things that can be on the ground.

all in all though, nothing's wrong with running with shoes as long as they're comfortable and provide adequate cushioning for your feet.