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There is quite a controversy in the world of runners lately about the trend toward barefoot running. I have to laugh at this because about 12 years ago, when I was working out in a gym, I always ran on the treadmill barefoot. Back then, most people laughed at me, but one friend mentioned an Olympic runner named Abebe Bekelia who in 1960 won the Olympic Marathon race, barefoot.
Then there’s “Barefoot Rick” who shed his shoes in 2003 and has run 26 marathons barefoot. He runs barefoot to raise money for charity – plus he says he’s more comfortable.
I ran barefoot because I prefer being barefoot. If it was possible to never wear shoes, I’d be there.
Today’s shoeless trend is taking off thanks to the popularity of Vibram Five Finger Shoes. These are meant to mimic the feel of running barefoot, but have rubber soles to prevent injuries like cuts and scrapes and also to keep sidewalk debris off your feet. Movie stars like Matthew McConaughey and Channing Tatum run in them, and according to CNN, the Five Fingers have become so popular that the company is having a hard time keeping them in stock—and stopping counterfeiters from selling knock-offs online.
When I checked in with a few medical web sites, here’s what I found – more controversy!
But another foot expert says less impact on the heel might be better, at least for some people. "It could potentially be better for someone who does pronate excessively," says James Christina, DPM, director of scientific affairs for the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA). Pronation is the natural slight inward-rolling motion of the foot as someone walks or runs. "Some people are going to be very well-adapted to barefoot running." Christina says.
Dr. Joseph Mercola, another trusted resource for Natural Health Solutions is actually running barefoot himself these days and sites research by Michael Warburton, a physical therapist in Australia, who found that running barefoot decreases the likelihood of ankle sprains and chronic injuries such as plantar fasclitis. Warburton's research was published in the journal Sports Science: “Running barefoot is associated with a substantially lower prevalence of acute injuries of the ankle and chronic injuries of the lower leg in developing countries, but well-designed studies of the effects of barefoot and shod running on injury are lacking.
All of the medical experts say that if you have diabetes, or if your immune system is compromised or if you are at risk for infection, do not attempt to run barefoot, but other than that, if you want to give it a try – test it out!
If you do try, let me know how you like it!
Best of Health,
Kathi
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