Fwd: : Barefoot running

[sraj]

In the scope of human history, shoes designed specifically for running and exercise are a relatively new concept. In fact, shoes designed specifically for the runner didn’t truly exist in the US until the mid-1960s. A small company called Blue Ribbon Sports imported the new Tiger shoes from Japan. From this humble beginning, Blue Ribbon Sports was responsible for generating interest in the burgeoning running-shoe industry. In 1978, Blue Ribbon Sports changed their name to Nike and the rest is history.

Prior to this renaissance in athletic apparel, barefoot running was the only option for millennia. Despite the plethora of shoe options that are now available to the casual and serious runner, many athletes are opting for a more minimalist approach to their foot covering, bringing the concept of barefoot running back into vogue.

This backward-looking advancement in design is largely credited to a January 2010 article published in Nature. The article focused on a Harvard University study that detailed foot-strike patterns and the impact profiles of barefoot running as compared to running with shoes. Other large media outlets like The New York Times, Runner’s World and The Wall Street Journal picked up on this study and interest in barefoot running was instantly recognized.

It is important to note many people completely misinterpreted the initial study. The belief was fostered that barefoot runners suffered fewer injuries and were able to run faster than their shoe wearing counterparts. In fact, the study only claimed people “were able to land comfortably and safely when barefoot or in minimal footwear by landing with a flat foot (midfoot strike) or by landing on the ball of the foot before bringing down the heel (forefoot strike).”

Dr. Daniel Lieberman, one of the Harvard study leaders, claims mid and forefoot striking does not cause the sudden, large impacts that occur when you heel strike. As such, barefoot running allows the athlete to run on hard surfaces without suffering discomfort from the landing. ....

http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1112798939/barefoot-shoes-bad-for-bones-030713/

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I have wondered for a long time, what is the correct way to walk. After all, if most adults have their posture wrong, can their walking style be OK?

In other words http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5j4YRHf6Iyo ; does it show the way we walk and also the way we should walk? 

Can we extrapolate the problem highlighted above .... 

In fact, the study only claimed people “were able to land comfortably and safely when barefoot or in minimal footwear by landing with a flat foot (midfoot strike) or by landing on the ball of the foot before bringing down the heel (forefoot strike).”

.. also to the way we walk.

In which case:

- We have as serious a problem in walking as in running.

- Shoes, especially those having heels will result in the heel striking first.

- Because of general faulty posture, with head forward stance, even when barefooted adults will walk heel to toe. 

- Even people who are generally barefooted will have faulty walk!

- The muscular development of the soles of the feet may be improper, and it may not be properly padded to permit natural movement of the feet while running bare footed as well as when walking barefooted.

.... something to chew on and to research (my suspicion may be unfounded :-)

Selvaraj