Have you ever seen someone running barefoot? If so, you probably thought they were crazy. But if you are familiar with health trends, it’s likely that you have heard of benefits associated with running barefoot.
So, what’s the downlow? Is running barefoot good or bad? Here’s what you need to know.
Is Running Barefoot Good for You?
Running is among the exercises most commonly associated with repetitive stress injuries. There are those that believe these injuries could be occurring because running shoes put your feet at an unnatural angle. Running barefoot is said to put your foot in a more natural position reducing the risk of RSIs.
Barefoot strides are shorter and more compact, so you touch down on the earth directly below your torso. This better aligns your body with the earth’s center of gravity. It causes your knee to bend more putting less pressure on your joints.
Running barefoot is said to result in the following benefits:
Helps Flat Feet: If you are wearing supportive shoes, you’re not allowing the muscles in your feet to get stronger. Running barefoot may tighten and strengthen foot muscles helping to stabilize a flat arch.
Reduces the Risk of Plantar Fasciitis: Plantar fasciitis occurs when the tissue along the bottom of the foot become inflamed. Sloppy running form can strain your plantar fascia. Running barefoot improves running technique minimizing the risk of this injury occurring.
Burns More Calories: When you run barefoot, you don’t have the bounce of a springy sole to propel you forward. This makes running more challenging, so you burn more calories.
Disadvantages of Running Barefoot
Running barefoot has one major disadvantage that’s likely to be clear to anyone who is thinking of trying it. It leaves your feet vulnerable to cuts punctures, woods, infections, and foot fractures. It’s also not exactly pleasant running on hot, cold, or bumpy pavement.
What About Barefoot Running Shoes?
There are shoes that were designed to simulate the experience of running barefoot while offering your feet protection. However, they do not offer your feet as much protection as traditional running shoes. Furthermore, some of the companies that manufacture barefoot running shoes were accused of making false health claims about their products.
Should I Run Barefoot?
The consensus is, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. If you’re not having problems running in your running shoes, don’t try running barefoot.
It’s also worth noting that running barefoot has never been proven to provide benefits. More research is needed to determine if this is the case.
If you do run barefoot, do so in areas that limit your risk of injury. Opt for beaches, grassy stretches, and clean indoor areas.
Running barefoot is said have its share of benefits, but it’s not right for everyone. You should only try it if you are experiencing problems running in sneakers. Or you could just choose another exercise.
Do you think running barefoot is right for you?
