Study on running finds going barefoot good for the sole, better for the heels

LA Times ^ | January 30, 2010 | SETH BORENSTEIN

[La Lydia]

Swimming is very hard on the hair. It’s the chlorine. I can only do it about once a week.

[jack1165]

You get that extra toe grip when barefoot.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

An important consideration is that what foot protection, if any, that is needed for the feet when running, is *different* than what is needed when walking. This is because the forces and strains on the feet, legs and back are quite different.

Long an interest of the military, the old leather combat boot was rated as superior for walking, and far better than civilian oriented boots. But it was awful for running in, and many soldiers had ruinous physical damage from frequently running in them, so now the military has them change into sneakers before runs.

[FourPeas]

Guess that may be the reason why my youngest prefers to run barefoot — even in the winter. The kid loves to run. Between him and the dog, there's a ring worn around the house where they do laps.

[ReneeLynn]

As kids didn’t we instinctually know this? Can I treadmill barefoot now?!

[PeterPrinciple]

Shedding clothes helps as well

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Ah, so you are the original streaker...........

[Ellendra]

More like these: http://www.swimoutlet.com/product_p/9008.htm

Although I usually find them for about $5 a pair.

[Ellendra]

See #27

[TheMom]

Barefoot ping.

[republicanbred]

Best book on running...Running for Life. It has been saying this since it was written. Keeps your knees and hips healthy and allows people to run into their 90’s. Seriously!

[circlecity]

"Swimming is very hard on the hair. It’s the chlorine. I can only do it about once a week."

Fortunately (or unfortunately actually) that's no longer an issue for me. lol

[Mr Rogers]

Go running barefoot out in the desert where I run. You’ll either cut your feet to pieces, or have callouses 3 inches thick.

People are free to lengthen their stride if they have running shoes on. That creates more stress. Cut back the stride, with out without shoes, and there is less stress.

[circlecity]

In all seriousness, for those of us with back and disk issues, who want to keep in shape, swimming is a godsend. I have a history of an inflamed disk in my back and working out and running used to mean constant soreness, inflammation and a bunch of steroids and ibuprofen to keep the swelling down. Mostly it meant not working out or exercising. Swimming has not only eliminated that but has actually relieved my back pain almost entirely. I can now do a complete weight training routine (including squats) and it doesn't aggrivate my back at all as long as I swim regularly also.

[HiTech RedNeck]

All that impact means wasted energy too.

[RedWhiteBlue]

“Chi Running” by Danny Dreyer is another great book that keeps people running long distances into old age without injury.

This study pretty much backs up what “Chi Running” is all about. Part of the proper form in Chi running is a foot strike not on the heel, but on the ball of the foot.

http://www.chirunning.com/shop/home.php

[Arthur McGowan]

Do the people behind you ever trip over your clothes?

[cubreporter]

We ran barefoot all summer long and whenever else we could. My feet are fine and so are my family’s feet. It’s good for you.

[Keith Brown]

Thanks

a guy at the gym had something similar but with toes. Not just tabis actual toes.

[Plywactwo Glowa]

My hairdressers’ pre-swimming suggestion: wet your hair and apply conditioner before putting on your cap. Any cheap conditioner will do. Really works for me.