Barefoot running -- healthier faster easier than running in shoes?

Anyone debating this needs to check themselves. It is quite obvious that humans have been developing over a long period of time and that shoes have caused a problem with people ankles & feet.

I will, in fact, try this out and will need to "toughen" my feet because the only problem I see arising from this is an injury due to stepping on something sharp ect.

Thanks for this Sythe, I saw it once before on the show "Dual Survival" in which one of the men doesn't wear shoes and he explains about the different walking styles.

 

Someone said that they run faster with their shoes on, but I definately run faster with my shoes off. It is obviously lighter, but I can actually tell the difference when switching between the two.

Also, your feet get tougher when you are barefoot lol; I am always wearing shoes in the winter (obviously) so when I go barefoot in the summer, rocks or pebbles on the ground tend to hurt a little, but not at the end of the summer because my feet are so used to it.

 

I was concerned about it also, but didn't look into anything like a foot 'skin'.

I'd go for a run at a local park but on the way there my feet would blister from the heat/rugged/sharp surfaces of the sidewalks,asphalt, rocks and little glass shards etc. I'm definitely going to try this out and hopefully remember to come back here and share my results.

 

Uhm I´ll try to add some information to this matter, as I am a Physiotherapy student in the Netherlands, in my 2nd year. I´ll try to make sure you understand what I mean, if not leave me some questions open and I'll try to answer them.
I have to read a lot of literature and I came a cross some information lately in the book "Dynamiek van het menselijk bindweefsel. Author: J.J. de Morree" Translated into English: Dynamics of the human connective tissue (I'm not sure whether this is the right translation).

This is what I know about this subject. I've heard that a lot of runners from Kenya start their training on bare foot. This is, as I read it, because of the build of muscles and the connective tissues grown between them. When you step down, there will get some tension on your muscle fibers, this tension will be going to the connective tissue and will be hold there for a very short time. This energy is very important, because it will be used to make the new movement again, therefore you are using less energy of your own.

The difference between soft running shoes, hard running shoes and barefoot is that soft running shows absorb this energy, so you cannot use this again in your new movement, therefore it'll cost you more energy to make the movement. If you are using running shoes with a hard sole you'll get about the same effect as on bare foots. There is a 'but' however. It seems to be very stressful for your feet, so I suggest finding a good balance between this.

I hope I could bring over some information to you interested in to this. I'm not really that great in translating my information into English as I have to make a different approach on writing or telling it.

EDIT: I am not quite sure how this would be healthier. Perhaps make a literature (MeSh)search on PubMed or Cochrane?

 

it's more about the fact that barefoot running forces you to run on your foreboot- on the balls of your foot, rather than the heel.

it's simply a more natural movement for the mechanics of your body- try jumping on your heels or running barefoot on your heels you iwll feel instant pain.

so even though you can run on your heels when you use padded running shoes- why the hell should you do it? unless you are jogging at ridiculously slow speeds, it's simply an unnatural movement and it contradicts the way your body is structured- take a look at people who have been running barefoot for all of their lives (primitive african tribes for example) and you'll see they run forefoot, rather than heelstroking.

with all said above- i dont see a need to fully transition to barefoot running, or running with minimalistic running shoes (like Vibram 5 fingers, for example) just get used to running forefoot with your normal running shoes, it's really not that difficult.

 

As a high school state qualifier in the 400m and 800m I will tell you that once I see an olympic runner run barefoot in any race I will do it myself. However until then I will not run barefoot. I am borderline flat-footed and I need shoes to be able to run properly. Maybe if you're just an average non competing runner that'd be fine. But to anyone in competition I could not take someone seriously if they ran barefoot regularly. Also, I could see the argument of shoes giving ankle support along with arch support. And if you are going to go from barefoot to shoefooted running then I can see you having terrible form.

 

I believe the people putting on the presentation and running the studies at Harvard know slightly more about competitive running then a high school qualifier.

 

Lol? Yes, because none of this is subjective to anything. There are no variables. Once those people at Harvard come to Ohio and run in my shoes everyday then they ain't got shit on me. And when do I claim to know anything about competitive running? Good fight troll, but you're going to have to try harder then that.

 

Very interesting but I think for running barefoot to actually benefit you, your life would have to count on it. If we all started running hundreds of miles a week at this point in our lives our feet would break. If we started this from birth I could see us living free from many of the sicknesses we have today.

 

First of all, you can't stand properly much less run from birth.

Secondly, it's never too late to start unless you're severely disabled/crippled...

Assuming you're an adolescent/young adult (99% of Sythe users are) I'd say it's the best time to pick it up. Your feet won't 'break' and you don't just start running hundreds of miles, it's a gradual buildup as you train and increase your endurance etc. allowing you to do so.

If you read the studies or even the summaries you'll understand why, what you're displaying is a classic form of good ol' ignorance.

 

Pretty cool, the only problem being that it'd be excruciating to start out, with all of the small cuts and other minor injuries to the soles of your feet before they start to become stronger and more durable.

 

Try it indoors first is my suggestion, that helps you with posture, gait etc. as it may seem natural and obvious but isn't entirely and then gradually build up on tougher surfaces until you can handle whatever you usually run on.

The stress on your feet you're referring to; is it on the tissue, joints or individual bones ?

 

I'm training for the marathon atm, and I don't even want to imagine the pains I'd have when running on bare feet

 

i rather not accidentally step on stuff when barefoot running, ill stick with shoes

 

I'll understand what? I never said I don't understand anything. If you're not going to post a legitimate argue against me then don't bother posting.

And the 2 posts right above me explain everything.

 

I definately wouldn't do that.. I'd rather have shoes on then picking stones out my feet

 

I will look into this further when I am back at college. Right now I´m in my hometown and I do not have any literature here. I´ll try to reply on monday. However, Sythe has added some information about how this seems to be healthier. So it might be possible these are new findings that do not correspond with what I've been reading.. But that's the great thing about research.

@ Sythe: Thanks for adding those youtube-movies and additional information. I'll go and discuss about this on school with other students and physiotherapists as I find this a really interesting subject.

EDIT: After thinking a while, I do think this is arguable. Running with shoes could be more easier and healthier then running on your barefoot. If I would have an ankle instability because I have had a ruptured lig. talofibulare anterior plus a distortion of the lig. deltoïdeum (Wich for example didn't heal probaply), then shoes most probably be better for me. The question is why? I might suffer from some sort of kinesiophobia. This could be the result of this unstable ankle or the fear of hurting myself again. Putting on shoes however would give you a feeling of safety while running. Therefore running with shoes could be healthier because of the fact you would dare to run. If you had to run on barefoots, you probably wouldn't go outside, therefore doing no exercises at all. Doing no exercises does no good to your cardiovascular well being, joint ROM play, etc.