$120 For Running Shoes Or Carefree & Barefoot?

April 6, 2010 · Filed Under Running News · 2 Comments 

barefoot-runningOur friends at Nike surely have a fast answer to this question, along with stacks of supporting studies. But recently there is more talk of the benefits of barefoot running, including lower impact and reduced injuries.

A Harvard study on barefoot running looked at types of foot strike associated with different types of running. Sprinters and the habitually barefoot seem to use mainly Forefoot or mid0foot strike, while hoe-wearing endurance runners (and the majority of joggers) use rear-foot strike. By using a force platform look at forces of impact for each step type it was easy to see that rear-foot strike, either in shoes or barefoot, has a large spike of applied force just at the time of landing, while forefoot running produces a smoother wave, with little or no sudden impact forces – essentially a much smoother ride. This step also helps to lower the body’s centre of mass relative to the vertical force, and as such reduces the mean force acting on the feet.

The study discusses how fore-foot- and mid-foot-strike gaits were probably more common when humans ran barefoot or in shoes such as moccasins, and how they may protect the feet and lower limbs from some of the impact-related injuries now experienced by a high percentage of runners.

Given that the incidence of running injuries remains significant despite advances in footwear technology, is it reasonable to suggest that even the best shoes may not be as good for you as no shoes at all? Indeed, many high-level athletes include some barefoot running on grass in their training regimen.

Colorado even has a barefoot 5K race in June, The Naked Foot, where barefoot running is required. The terrain even includes a significant amount of pavement, as well as grass.

So… are you afraid of barefoot running? Have you been injured by it? Do you swear by it? All comments are welcome!

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