(Almost) Barefoot Running

Quite frankly I am appalled at the "fad" of barefoot running. Millions of dollars in research to create cushioning to protect our ankles, knees, hips and backs and people now decide to throw it away and run barefoot.
If one has access to sand, snow or a golf course then running barefoot may be fine, but on asphalt and concrete? Someone better tell the emperor to put his shoes on before he becomes a cripple.
If you want the benefits without the destruction, then try standing on one leg for 5 minutes while barefoot
I see BIG lawsuits up ahead.

The average active footwear has turned into more of a crutch than a injury preventive shoe. The benefits of training while barefoot are incredible. Increases in endurance (both cardiovascular and musc.), stability, balance and flexibility. Should you just start running around barefoot? Absolutely not, certain progressions are needed, and the impact is greater, but what people neglect is the way you run. People are so reliant on these inclined running shoes (look at your shoes front, and heel, are the level?) that they have no natural stability any more. Try standing barefoot with your heel as close to the ground without touching. Now walk like that, not so easy. When properly running barefoot, your heel is suppose to never touch, which puts you at a constant state of plantarflexion. Your foot absorbs the impact now, making it safe. When your running with a shoe, your used to slamming your heel into the ground, with complete neglection of running form, and that is was causes injuries. And comparing running barefoot with balancing on one foot is absolutely retarded.

I would be interested in watching how this type of footwear would do in classes like Will Power & Grace, and even for those individuals who are going through therapy for pronation correction. I will wait and see how the barefoot running works out though.

I'm not certain why some get so "appalled" at running barefoot or even training barefoot. I wrote an article on the subject that can be found on PT on the Net. Until one understands the anatomy and mechanics of the foot and how it inter-relates with the rest of the body then one should keep an open mind! We should agree on this, do you remember when we all work weight belts when lifting heavy weights to protect our back? Well shoes that have a narrow toe box, an artificial "arch support" (isn't that an oxymoron), and a heel that is elevated over the forefoot(almost all shoes have this)...this can cause a foot to adapt to its new environment and not function ideally! Is barefoot running for everyone...NOPE. But I do see a purpose for almost all clients to do some type of training barefoot. Again, check out my article for a very detailed analysis of this that wont bore ya to death :)
Ryan

The more we try and fix a problem we make another one for ourselves. Yeah I believe that we should train as close as we can to bare foot. I have used several training shoes for this and the one I prefer is actually used in Kayaking. It offers no support but protects the foot from the elements. When I run it feels like I am reading the road with my feet, I have become a brail runner rather than a trail runner pardon the pun. But since I have been running this way my gait has changed obviously. The pain in my knee no longer returns. However, my calves are getting a work out. You may loose speed initially but coming in a few seconds slower or being laid up for a week because damaged meniscus, it's your choice. The question is, if all this money has been spent on designing running shoes, why are the same amount of related injures occurring?

Aside from the safety of the environment where we run, I think it is good to remember the physiology of our bodies. We aren't born with shoes. Our bodies are made to run, and our early history is of running through the lands (mostly barefoot) to chase our food or to avoid becoming food. A healthy body is natural and so we a healthy body doesn't need shoes to support our ankles or knees.
At some particular time we did begin to wrap our feet to protect from cold elements and surface pain. That is because our bodies also have a brain!
What I hope for all of us is educated and compassionate support for our clients. I suggest we give them evidence based material on both sides of the debate and then support their decision.