The Barefoot Running Debate

So February’s issue of Runner’s World features the debate of barefoot running.  There are obviously many approaches to this.  There are those who adamently appose it, those who believe it can be beneficial some of the time, and then those who believe that it is the only way to run. (obviously there are many in between those three categories as well). You can view the full debate here. The interview is between Barefoot Ken Bob Saxton (you may have read his blog on runningbarefoot.org and his occasional comment here on our page) and a sports podiatrist-biomechanist Kevin Kirby, D.P.M. It is intriguing to read the various views put forth here.

Kirby’s greatest qualm with barefoot running is the potential of foot lacerations or puncture wounds, not so much strain or pain which others tend to preach. He does mention injuries associated with forefoot striking for a “natural rearfoot striker”, however, it is much more extreme by taking a “natural rearfoot striker” and causing them to heel strike with more extremity because of the bulky heel as found in typical running shoes.  Also, a midfoot striker is going to be affected by this as well. He states that we can not attribute injury to shoes, “It’s the act of running that causes injuries—the hard surfaces, hitting the ground with two to three times your body weight. Those forces are going to cause injuries whether shoes are involved or not.” This may be correct, however, if we are forced to land incorrectly on these surfaces then the incorrect part of our body (our joints) is taking all the stress instead of our muscles which are designed to handle it. In many individuals that we have put into running barefoot, running in FiveFingers, or running in “zero drop” shoes have had decreased joint pain, less shin issues, and many have had increased endurance.

Ken points out that running marathons his toe nails fell off and he had extreme blisters with shoes, but barefoot none of that. It is common for many long distance runners to have black toenails, or even lose them, but this is often due to lack of toe room, not necessarily just shoes in general. If we have a larger toe box, or even a little larger shoe then this can be reduced drastically and often even eliminated.

We here at RunNatural.org/Barefoot-Running.com are advocates of the barefoot running culture, however, we are also realists.  Not everyone can jump into barefoot running, though it is very beneficial to train that way at times to strengthen your feet.  You can see our Transitioning Articles to Barefoot Running Here. We however are fully advocating a more natural approach to running.  You have seen in some of our latest posts the need for less heel (also mentioned in a recent research study – see our report here.) Running shoes appear to be a major attribution to running shoe injuries and any of you that have read Chris McDougall’s book “Born to Run” have probably bought into that and are grasping at straws to find something that will benefit your running and lessen your injuries.  There are very few options available right now other than the Vibram FiveFingers. We seek to improve and enhance the health of the world through decreasing injury and getting more people actively running.  Use barefoot running to enhance and strengthen your feet. If you so chose to make it the only way to run then more power to you, we will not stop you.  If you are apposed to it and believe that the heeled and bulky shoes are the best way to run then please return to the research that is more and more showing otherwise (much of this research dates back to the 80’s as well).

Happy Running and Stay Tuned for more great stuff!

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 20th, 2010 at 5:36 pm and is filed under Barefoot Running, Minimalist Shoes. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.