Barefoot running: the best trainers money can’t buy
timesonline.co.uk
Barefoot running: the best trainers money can’t buy
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Re: Barefoot running: the best trainers money can’t buy
#2That article has some good points, but I'm really frustrated by this sort of thing:
Hartmann has worked with more than 100 world-class African athletes. “Most never wore shoes until their late teens,” he says. “They have few foot defects.”
World class athletes have few foot defects? Can you say selection effect?
My biggest criticism of the barefoot running crowd is that they usually treat it as a way of life. They always run barefoot, when that's not really necessary. Most of the benefits of barefoot running come from changes in running form. Shod runners have plenty of padding, so they can get away with letting their heel strike. An occasional barefoot run on grass will help you learn proper form while avoiding the disadvantages of constant barefoot running. At the end of the run, you can look at the grass stains on your feet to get an idea of how much your heel is striking the ground. Once you learn proper running form (no grass stains on your heels), you can practice that same form while wearing shoes.
There is one oft-forgotten side-effect of barefoot running: massive callouses. See http://www.shallowcogitations.com/2010/02/barefoot-running-l... for before and after pics.
Edit: I forgot to explain the non-obvious disadvantages of barefoot running. While humans ran barefoot before shoes were invented, the typical prehistoric human wasn't as heavyset as the typical westerner. Feet, legs, and backs aren't evolved to properly support overweight joggers. Proper shoes can help correct problems in running form/gait that an individual's muscles or connective tissues can't compensate for.
Re: Barefoot running: the best trainers money can’t buy
#3I have recently wrote an article about barefoot running http://www.freestylemind.com/barefoot-running
I don't have years of experience, but when I run with minimalist shoes (now always) I never feel arch or knee pain. It's worth at least a try.
Re: Barefoot running: the best trainers money can’t buy
#4That article has some good points, but I'm really frustrated by this sort of thing: Hartmann has worked with more than 100 world-class African athletes. “Most never wore shoes until their late teens,” he says. “They have few foot defects.” World class athletes have few foot defects? Can you say selection effect? My biggest criticism of the barefoot running crowd is that they usually treat it as a way of life. They al…
> World class athletes have few foot defects? Can you say selection effect?
Actually "foot defects" would appear more in world class athletes: the strain they put on their feet will expose any small defect that would normally go unnoticed by someone with a sedentary lifestyle. As long as the problem isn't too serious, their running career is not jeopardized.
Re: Barefoot running: the best trainers money can’t buy
#5Is anyone else suspicious that all these articles about barefoot running started appearing at the same time a bunch of companies came out with specialized "barefoot" shoes?
Re: Barefoot running: the best trainers money can’t buy
#6Can't buy? Perhaps not actually barefoot, but my wife got a pair of these [1] and I'm planning on getting some soon myself.
(For those not interested in clicking, think toe-socks with +5 armor rating)
[1] http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/
edit: as to starkfist's comment, these and other "barefoot" shoes have been around for quite a while. Maybe if there were more correlation, but as-is I don't see any marketing stunt.
Re: Barefoot running: the best trainers money can’t buy
#7Is anyone else suspicious that all these articles about barefoot running started appearing at the same time a bunch of companies came out with specialized "barefoot" shoes?
Nike has Free for 4-5 years. It had even added some cushioning to original Free over the years.
Re: Barefoot running: the best trainers money can’t buy
#8That article has some good points, but I'm really frustrated by this sort of thing: Hartmann has worked with more than 100 world-class African athletes. “Most never wore shoes until their late teens,” he says. “They have few foot defects.” World class athletes have few foot defects? Can you say selection effect? My biggest criticism of the barefoot running crowd is that they usually treat it as a way of life. They al…
> World class athletes have few foot defects? Can you say selection effect? Actually "foot defects" would appear more in world class athletes: the strain they put on their feet will expose any small defect that would normally go unnoticed by someone with a sedentary lifestyle. As long as the problem isn't too serious, their running career is not jeopardized.
And if their running career is jeopardized, they're no longer a world-class athlete.
Re: Barefoot running: the best trainers money can’t buy
#9Is anyone else suspicious that all these articles about barefoot running started appearing at the same time a bunch of companies came out with specialized "barefoot" shoes?
They've been about for a while now.
It all started a couple of years ago when that research into how expensive/fancy trainers were actually not as good for athletes as bog standard "normal" ones.
And that progressed into bare footed is even more beneficial / less injury prone.
With that said I admit that I also remember seeing ads for a barefoot style "shoe" too. So you could well be right.
(as it stands I recall the science and research was pretty solid - especially the stuff about cheap trainers over expensive ones)
Re: Barefoot running: the best trainers money can’t buy
#10The benefits of barefoot running can be obtained without going totally shoeless.
I haven't started running barefoot yet, but my beefy New Balance running shoes have been relegated to mucking about in the yard. I now run in a well-worn pair of Chuck Taylor hightops. Just going to a much more minimal shoe forced me to concentrate more on forefoot/mid-foot striking, a light, quick stride, and proper posture.
What many people overlook is that running is a skill that must often be relearned as we get older and run again for fitness (ever see any nine-year-olds with shin splints, runner's knee or ITB syndrome?). Cross-country skiing, cycling, and swimming all have skill components, why not running? Going minimal on footwear forces that attention to form.