The human body is built for running (and Richard Dawkins develops a crack in his misotheist armor!)

Science Literature Blog ^ | October 29, 2009 | David Tyler, Ph.D.

[GodGunsGuts]

Alongside all the public interest in sporting prowess, recent research has added significantly to our knowledge of how the human body actually works. Many characteristics we take for granted now appear to be critical success factors. Take, for example, our toes. We do not need long toes, like monkeys and apes, because our toes are not used for grasping branches. But are they vestigial - withered remnants of once-grand appendages? The answer is: most definitely not! Whilst it is possible to walk comfortably with longer toes, running is different. Increase toe length by just 20% and there is a doubling of the peak digital flexor impulses and the mechanical work required.

It emerges that the human body has numerous traits that all support the ability to run...

[Texas Eagle]

The human body is built for running

Not THIS human body.

This human body was designed to sit in front a computer for hours on end and drink beer.

Maybe yours is defective.

[Natural Law]

"He sure is trying to drive me away."

Probably some confusion over squatters rights. Pity he doesn't realize there is an obligation to improve the property.

[ColdWater]

Probably some confusion over squatters rights. Pity he doesn't realize there is an obligation to improve the property.

Keep the peace here. I have to go.

[GodGunsGuts]

LOL...having just started running again, I am finding that we pay for the computer and the beer twice. And let me tell you, the second payment takes a lot more out of you than the first!

[HiTech RedNeck]

Well let’s see what we have here. A Gondring scoff-and-run, followed by a cat fight.

[mamelukesabre]

That’s the best you warrant, buddy. Goodnight.

[caveat emptor]

For anyone interested in the bio-mechanics of running this book, by Joe Ellis, a podiatrist and runner, will be very interesting. It's out of print IIRC, but still available at Amazon: Running Injury Free.

He convinced me that my 9mm difference in leg length is a serious problem for running, or even walking, at any speed. I now wear 9mm lifts all the times on the side of my short leg, externally or internally, depending on the shoe.

[CottShop]

[[This human body was designed to sit in front a computer for hours on end and drink beer.

Maybe yours is defective.]]

Lol- Smokin ciggs, drinkin Dew, and wheezing all the way to the fridge for more dew- (thankfully they make inhalers) pass the lard please

[CottShop]

[[Well let’s see what we have here. A Gondring scoff-and-run,]]

When one throws spitwads, they gotta turn and run becAUSE they know the real ammo is about to be fired in their direction

[ColdWater]

Joe carrying a rider covered 1800 miles in 31 days. How long would you walker take?

[GodGunsGuts]

I have a leg that is slightly shorter than the other. What is the proper way of evening things out?

[caveat emptor]

Forgot to mention that he also convinced me to determine if there was a difference, as suggested by a physiotherapist who was treating me for a back problem. Not as easy a thing to do as Joe Ellis suggests, but doable.

[CottShop]

[[I have a leg that is slightly shorter than the other. What is the proper way of evening things out?]]

Lean to the left

[CottShop]

[[I have a leg that is slightly shorter than the other. What is the proper way of evening things out?]]

Or, walk on a slope

[GodGunsGuts]

I tried that, but it didn’t work and had to get surgery. I have no idea if the two were related. But I kind of suspect they were, at least somewhat. I couldn’t run for a couple years afterward, but suddenly I find that I can run again without much pain at all. Very liberating!

[VanShuyten]

Human feet are pretty interesting. They obviously were going through a similar change that horses feet did - losing toes to eventually form one giant toe (hoof) - but that evolutionary change was short-circuited by the development of our large brain. If we had remained only as smart as a horse, perhaps our feet would look more like a horse’s foot, too. As it is, our feet are dominated by one large toe, three smaller ones, and a near-vestigial little toe (wee-wee-wee, all the way home).

[caveat emptor]

What is the proper way of evening things out?

I have a triple pboblem. Fallen main and metatarsal arches. The arch problems are handled by wearing Birckensock sandals, summer and winter. When I have to wear shoes I wear a Birk insert - cork and leather. Not as good as the sandal, but not bad.

9mm is a lot to compensate for. For runners I wear not only the Birk inserts but also shims in the form of not very compressible flat inserts. 9 mm is a lot and not always attainable, so I use maybe 6mm plus an additional 3mm in the heel. With inserts and lifts + sox that's putting a lot into the shoe.

For boots, sandals and other shoes where suitable I use an external shim. Replacement Birk soles just happen to be 9mm thick. I buy Birk replacement stock from a local shoe repairman and cement one onto the sole. Trim is with a knife and smooth it using a belt sander.

For smaller differences other replacement rubber soles are available. Talk to a local shoe repairman.

An acquaintance of mine has a bigger problem than mine from a motorcycle accident. He has his shoes rebuilt at great expense, $300 or so IIRC. Not a bad idea if you can afford it.

Figuring out the difference isn't easy. If it isn't much for you, just try something and see if it helps whatever problem you're experiencing.

I'll FRmail you a description of how I do it later.

[grey_whiskers]

$100 / hour? Not ready for the Emperor's Club yet? /sarc>

Cheers!

[tlb]

>>>This post was moved from News to Bloggers.

Thank you Moderator for at least trying to do your job, and placing blogspam where it belongs and can do less harm to this site’s reputation.