Hey barefoot enthusiasts! If the recent study on running shoes and going barefoot has left you dumbfounded, don’t fret! Here are three stories that could calm your nerves from putting on running shoes again.
The Biomechanics of Running Barefoot
Running on bare feet has been a rising trend for the past couple of years. While a lot of people have decided to ditch their shoes, a lot of companies have also come up with new shoe designs that target the barefooters or minimalist runners. But the new study that is making the case for running shoes has jabbed at the efficiency of running barefoot.
This article talks about why runners are going barefoot and why it’s more than just energy efficiency. As Robert Gotlin, the director of orthopedic and sports rehabilitation at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City says, it’s all about the biomechanics.
Skeptical Sashen’s Response to the Study
The 3-4% more energy that is said to cost barefoot runners as compared to those who are wearing running shoes is such a miniscule difference that it won’t even matter to most runners. This is according to Steven Sashen, CEO of Invisible Shoes. Moreover, Sashen believes that barefooters pounding on a treadmill and wearing socks would equate to the true barefoot running experience.
The good thing is, Sashen and Dr. Franz, a member of the research team agree on one thing and that is, “people choose to run barefoot for a variety of reasons.”
More on this article here.
The Annual Marathon Research
The 26.2 with Donna The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer is the only U.S. marathon dedicated solely to raising funds to end breast cancer. But the marathoners have not only helped raised money for breast cancer, they have also helped scientists understand the sport of long-distance running, and its impact on fit, healthy athletes.
Since 2008, thousands of runners have volunteered to provide pertinent information. The first two years or the first phase of the research studied the sodium levels and kidney renal function of marathoners by drawing a sample of their blood before and after the race. The past three years was phase two of the research and it focused on the relationship of body mass index to injuries and whether the latter is related to weight, height, age and pre-race training exercises.
This year, they have also started studying the types of shoes runners are using and how they land on their feet and whether this makes a difference to avoid injuries. Project lead physician Michael Mohseni said that people tend to land mid-foot when running barefoot and this naturally leads to an effortless bending of the hip, knee and ankle.
You can read more about the Annual Marathon here.