Is barefoot running a good thing?

[Admin]

Humans were created to run barefoot in order to survive We had to move camps and hunt for our food. Because concrete was invented, we needed another invention – that thing called a running shoe.

Those who advocate running barefoot can be divided into two camps:

1) Those that do it in moderation as part of a balanced running training program
2) Those that use it as a philosophy that underpins their running.

To quote this on Barefoot Running:

It is this later group I have a problem with. They are like religious zealots that are fanatical about it. They use nonsensical non-scientific mumbo jumbo to support what they do. They use any piece of evidence that is negative about running shoes as “proof” that barefoot running is better. They grasp at straws to misrepresent other research and dismiss any anti-barefoot research. They claim there is research for it, but when you look at the research, it does not support it - they misrepresent what the research is showing (...and even when you point that out to them, they continue to claim it supports them).

At the end of the day, there is not one piece of evidence that shows barefoot is even ideal, let alone beneficial. Yet do an internet search for barefoot running and look at the extraordinary range of claims being made for the benefits of it. HOWEVER, there is no evidence that it is not beneficial either. Yet the fanatical supporters of barefoot running quote a wide range of research to support their cause. When I read the reference list for the claims, not one piece of the research says what they claim it says. Trying to discuss rationally with these people is like trying to argue a religion – you never going to win that argument.

Podiatry Arena has had a number of discussions on the merits of Barefoot Running.

There is also this anti-barefoot running website that deconstructs a lot of teh argumanets made for barefoot running.

[bluedozzer]

Beneficial or not I would just love to feel the ground beneath my feet without paying for it in pain.

[ordinaryfeets]

I suppose everyone is different. My husband is getting into running and tried the barefoot running thing. We also both bought Vibram Five Finger shoes (touted as the "next best thing" to barefoot). My husband really like the philosophy and read all about it. He became obsessed with running form and trying to get his just right. But he kept getting injured, or reinjuring the same thing, until he finally gave up and did the unthinkable: bought thick soled running shoes. And that pretty much solved his problem.

For my part, I bought a pair of Vibram's as well but I don't run, I wanted them for hiking. Using them on pavement just doesn't seem natural to me, but some people say they are fine with it. They are nice for hiking, but after a three or four miles on a dirt path, my heels begin to hurt, though I am careful not to "heel strike". I like them though. I like the feeling of my toes being separated in the shoes, because my two smallest toes tend to get crammed up and curl under a bit in many shoes.

[drsilver]

Since the NY Times article on barefoot running I've seen 5 people with stress fractures from running in the Vibram shoes. Stress fractures occur from repetitive forces on the metatarsal bones (bones behind the toes). They occur kind of like you break a paper clip with applying forces over and over until they break.

Another patient came in after banging his great toe on a large rock running in central park. He litterally ripped off his great toe nail and was bleeding.

As a podiatrist, I highly discourage my patients from running barefoot.

Lawrence Silverberg, DPM
www.cityfootcare.com

[TOG Orthotics]

As they say, you can't reason someone out of a position they didn't reason themselves into. I'd say at best on the right surfaces running barefoot might be acceptable, but even in poorer countries where going barefoot can be the norm in some locations, it takes a lifetime to build up the neccessary natural equipment to make barefoot a first choice.

[kmcmichael]

I am in the latter camp. I don't really care about the research. Research is somewhat like gov statistics. It is easy to manipulate. I have a friend that broke his foot with the five fingers.

I have had a very good experience running barefoot. I could not run a half mile in my running shoes without my knee locking up. I could not manage any sort of pace at all and not be out of breath. I quit running for a few months.

I was on vacation. My wife was sleeping late. I was in the exercise room in my flip flops. I got on the tread mill barefoot. It was quite the revelation. When I got home I read a little about it and started running barefoot. Within a month I was running five miles a day with no problems. At about a 12 minute pace. I am 52 and not in great shape. I am however a fair weather runner and cannot stand to be cold in the least. I stopped for the winter but plan to start again when it warms up.

This is just my experience.

The negative side is that my feet seemed to change(toe spread) and I cannot stand my shoes.

[TOG Orthotics]

Originally Posted by kmcmichael

The negative side is that my feet seemed to change(toe spread) and I cannot stand my shoes.

Yes, it really can be a lifestyle issue.

[kmcmichael]

I don't think it takes a lifetime. I think that it is pretty much up to the individual. My main goal is comfort. Obviously I am not going to run in the cold or surfaces that become painful.

I am considering the purchase of some custom boots due to wider feet and getting a black toenail from my hunting boots. That could be from going barefoot so much.

I do plan to see a doctor soon regarding this.

[TOG Orthotics]

Originally Posted by kmcmichael

I do plan to see a doctor soon regarding this.

That really is usually a safe course of action!

[fhesr]

It amazes me that most here, especially those in the health professions, who have never had significant time running barefoot are so critical of it. If you are going to offer an opinion at least go out and try it for a few weeks or months, otherwise it's best to say nothing.