Have you ever considered barefoot running or wondered what all the hype is about?
I will admit, I was a skeptic when the popularity of barefoot running started gaining momentum (as I often am with new fads). Last fall I was at a patellofemoral pain syndrome seminar and there was an excellent presentation done on barefoot running and some of the science behind it. Learning more about the mechanics of running and how the body adjusts to different footwear (traditional running shoes, minimalist shoes, and bare feet) I began to warm up to the evidence behind barefoot running. Although I have yet to try hitting the pavement sans my worn out and sadly beaten runners, I am intrigued by the supporting evidence for ridding the feet of footwear for running.
You might not be interested in the nitty gritty of the science behind running barefoot, but check out the blog link at the bottom to get a short glimpse at the dynamic changes that occur with a runner as she runs with traditional runners, minimalist shoes, and bare feet. Keep in mind, the studies behind barefoot running tend to be focused on controlled terrain (treadmill, pavement, smooth surfaces) vs trails, running barefoot is not for all runners, and introducing barefoot running needs to be done in a gradual and controlled manner.
Although your bare feet may not be as flash as that new $200 pair of runners you were eyeing, your body may thank you for spending some of your running mileage time with free and naked feet.
www.physiocanhelp.ca/amy-fahlman-running-blog
