A new study by Harward researchers has found that people who run barefoot or in minimal footwear tend to have less foot injuries.

Most people think barefoot running is dangerous, but actually you can run on the hardest surface without the slightest discomfort and pain.

Studies are showing that fancy footwear is not the best way to reduce the impact of running.

A study by Dr. Lieberman shows that those who had always worn shoes hit their heels against the ground with dangerous force, while those who ran barefoot had a springy step and landed towards the middle or front of the foot.

Dr. Lieberman cautions that a transition to barefoot running should be gradual. Runners should not increase their distance more than 10% a week, and should seek medical advice if they experience any pain.

There is more information on this website:


http://www.webmd.com/fitness-e...with-health-benefits


By Bill Hendrick
WebMD Health NewsReviewed by Louise Chang, MDJan. 27, 2010

-- Running barefoot causes less collision force to the feet than running in cushioned shoes, a new study says. Researchers reporting in the Jan. 28 issue of the journal Nature show that runners who run without shoes usually land on the balls of their feet, or sometimes flat-footed, compared to runners in shoes, who tend to land on their heels first.

Cushioned running shoes, which date back only to the 1970s, may seem comfortable but may actually contribute to foot injuries, say Daniel Lieberman, PhD, professor of human evolutionary biology at Harvard University, and colleagues.

The scientists, using motion and force analyses, showed that barefoot runners who strike on the fore-foot (land on the balls of their feet) generate smaller collision forces than shod rear-foot strikers.

The researchers say that although there are anecdotal reports of reduced injuries in barefoot populations, more work is needed to test their view that either barefoot runners or those with minimal footwear (such as sandals or moccasins) have reduced injury rates....

Thank you Inda.

I read a similar article in one of the newspapers.

Ancient man did not wear the kind of shoes we wear,
and actually, no shoes at all in some parts of the world, and they did not have all these foot problems that we have today.

Love,
yoko

Thank you for the information.

As children in France we ran around barefoot all the time.
I don't even want to think of the kind of shoes I have worn in the past.

Sincerely,
Gisele

Thank you Inda.

This is a very interesting topic. I guess we should walk barefoot in the summer as much as possible and maybe wear some thin slippers or sandals at home during the winter.
I will let my little girl run barefoot as much as possible to strengthen her feet.

Love,
Vicky

Thank you for posting the information Inda.
I have heard about the benefits of barefoot running as well.
Like Gisele, we ran barefoot all summer in England.
We should try it again.

Love,
Sue

Thank you girls for you comments and replies.

I remember running barefoot all summer when I was a child. I ran on all sorts of surfaces and my feet never bothered me.

Now that we have been wearing shoes for such a long time, we need to go really slowly when walking or running with no or minimal footwear. First of all we need warm weather. We can use minimal footwear at home and see how that feels.

http://perspectives.3ds.com/20...an-be-painful/

quote:

Originally posted by dear Vicky2:
Thank you Inda.

This is a very interesting topic. I guess we should walk barefoot in the summer as much as possible and maybe wear some thin slippers or sandals at home during the winter.
I will let my little girl run barefoot as much as possible to strengthen her feet.

Love,
Vicky

Amen and Awomen!

Love and light being, Teom


http://www.freefever.com/animatedgifs/

Running barefoot (or also walking ...)is a wonderful feeling.

Just yesterday, the winner of the Spring Marathon in Rome, is an Ethiopian who ran barefoot!

We have not many opportunities to enjoy a direct touch with Mother Earth ... but its healthy effects are certain!

Love and barefoot pleasures ...

Margherita

Thank you Teo and Margherita.

Let us enjoy running and walking barefoot, touching the earth.

Love, Inda

I have been a barefoot girl all my life!!! There is nothing like feeling the grass, sand, soil on your feet!
Love you!