Posted on 01/30/2010 8:35:53 AM PST by La Lydia
Biologist and runner Daniel Lieberman had a simple question: "How did people run without shoes?" The answer he got is: Much better. At least running barefoot seems better for the feet, producing far less impact stress compared to feet shod in fancy, expensive running shoes, according to a study by Lieberman in the journal Nature. The study concludes that people seem to be born to run — barefoot.
The research was funded in part by a company that makes running shoes that try to mimic barefoot running. But Lieberman, who disclosed the grant, said the company...didn't influence the outcome.
People who grew up running barefoot — such as boys in Kenya's Rift Valley, which is known for endurance running champs — tend to land mostly on the front or middle of the foot when they touch ground. And when these runners do use shoes, they continue to run in that way.
People who have always worn cushioned running shoes usually hit the ground heel first. The difference in the way the foot strikes the ground is important. Lieberman's study examined the physical stresses on feet with different types of running and found that people with running shoes strike the ground with the mass of the entire leg, nearly 7 percent of the body. That's more than three times the weight of impact for barefoot running.
"It's really about how you hit the ground," said Lieberman, who specializes in human evolutionary biology. "When you hit the ground, some of your body comes to a dead stop."
For runners in cushioned shoes, "it is literally like someone hitting you on the heel with a hammer," Lieberman said. But, he said that "the way in which barefoot runners run is more or less collision free."...
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
..but bad for Niki/
..but bad for Niki/
I’ve also heard that in the past American Indians walked and ran with the front of their foot hitting first. I wouldn’t want to run barefoot EITHER way if it wasn’t on grass, sand or soil. Ouch!
So Kip Keino was right all those Olympics ago.
Ping!
I ran barefoot in high school in northern VA back in 70-71.
They changed the rule the week before the state indoor meet and I had to wear shoes. Fell down in the first turn but got up and finished 3rd in the heat. The first two advanced to the finals.
Shoes suck and so do socks.
It doesn’t hurt the agenda expensive running shoes are made in sweat shops, etc., etc., etc.
I used to go barefoot all the time until the week I stepped on two bees.
But the consequences of NOT wearing shoes are pretty awful. Even if you don't step on a nail or broken glass.
There was an old proverb in Scots Gaelic - "Cuspach, 'us gag, 'us eill-bhuinn, 's mairg an spag air am beireadh iad." - "Kibe and crack and burning heel, pity the foot they come on."
These are conditions only found in folks who go barefoot. And they are extremely painful and debilitating. Another proverb says: "The pain of the heel, the loss of an only son."
When I'm hiking over hill and dale, I walk flat footed...much more stable...
My grandson is flat footed...he can do some amazing leaps and bounds and never misses a beat. He gives me a heart attack!!
Wait for the upcoming “NO SNEAKERS” law.
When I was a kid ... OK, that was awhile ago, I always elected to run barefoot when I had a footrace that I really wanted to win. I just knew that I ran faster when barefoot. So now I consider it a universal truth that you can run faster without shoes than with them. Shedding clothes helps as well.
Yeah, and we all should live in caves too.
At a tracking class I was told that walking heels-first was hard on the body, so I learned to walk toes-first. (Well, actually its the ball of the foot, not really the toes, but I didn’t want to say balls-first.) If you’re not used to it, it works your calf muscles like you wouldn’t believe, but once you get past that phase it does feel easier on the joints.
It did annoy my physical therapist, though. She thought heel-first should be the only way to walk.
I also found that method uses a lot less energy when running. I have asthma, and was only able to run about 20 feet before needing an inhaler. After I learned to run toes-first I was able to go 10 times farther without trouble. Still seems pathetic compared to some, but at that point I hadn’t been able to run for almost 20 years, so I was just happy not to be wheezing!
I was girls’ 50 yard dash champion of my grade school in 69 and 70. The boys had a run-off with me (Incentive you know. Can’t let a girl beat you!) to see who would be boys’ champion. One of them was able to beat me (just barely;-) by running barefoot.
PS: I wear those water shoes with the really thin, flexible soles. They allow the foot to move freely, but still protect against cut and scrapes. And they’re only about $5 a pair usually.
Swim instead and it isn’t an issue. ;-)
moccasins?
Swimming is very hard on the hair. It’s the chlorine. I can only do it about once a week.
You get that extra toe grip when barefoot.
An important consideration is that what foot protection, if any, that is needed for the feet when running, is *different* than what is needed when walking. This is because the forces and strains on the feet, legs and back are quite different.
Long an interest of the military, the old leather combat boot was rated as superior for walking, and far better than civilian oriented boots. But it was awful for running in, and many soldiers had ruinous physical damage from frequently running in them, so now the military has them change into sneakers before runs.
As kids didn’t we instinctually know this? Can I treadmill barefoot now?!
Shedding clothes helps as well
More like these: http://www.swimoutlet.com/product_p/9008.htm
Although I usually find them for about $5 a pair.
See #27
Barefoot ping.
Best book on running...Running for Life. It has been saying this since it was written. Keeps your knees and hips healthy and allows people to run into their 90’s. Seriously!
Fortunately (or unfortunately actually) that's no longer an issue for me. lol
Go running barefoot out in the desert where I run. You’ll either cut your feet to pieces, or have callouses 3 inches thick.
People are free to lengthen their stride if they have running shoes on. That creates more stress. Cut back the stride, with out without shoes, and there is less stress.
All that impact means wasted energy too.
“Chi Running” by Danny Dreyer is another great book that keeps people running long distances into old age without injury.
This study pretty much backs up what “Chi Running” is all about. Part of the proper form in Chi running is a foot strike not on the heel, but on the ball of the foot.
http://www.chirunning.com/shop/home.php
Do the people behind you ever trip over your clothes?
We ran barefoot all summer long and whenever else we could. My feet are fine and so are my family’s feet. It’s good for you.
Thanks
a guy at the gym had something similar but with toes. Not just tabis actual toes.
My hairdressers’ pre-swimming suggestion: wet your hair and apply conditioner before putting on your cap. Any cheap conditioner will do. Really works for me.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.