Harvard Lieberman Study on Barefoot Running: All About Footstrike
Many of you have by now read the Harvard study by Daniel Lieberman. If not, check out our articles section to read it. Ridiculously short recap: Humans run with a mid or forefoot strike when barefoot and tend to heel strike in shoes. Humans were born to run with a mid-foot or forefoot landing which reduces impact and stress. This is accomplished naturally barefoot and can be done while wearing shoes as well. Every runner is different and runners should find what works best for them.
See the Associated Press release on his report Here.
January 31st, 2010 at 6:02 am
Even when I was running in shoes (1980s-90s), I preferred running at a track. I discovered barefoot running about two years ago, before “Born to Run.” I ran about 10 miles a month barefoot (none in shoes) throughout 2008 and into the first half of 2009.
After reading “Born to Run” in June of 2009, I upped my miles and averaged about 50 miles a month the second half of 2009, all without shoes, at various tracks.
The results? I now look forward to running, my feet and legs do not hurt when I run (in my 20s back in the 1980s-90s I battled shin splints), and I lost 20 pounds in the second half of 2009.
Barefoot running definitely works best for me, and I am glad to see this study.
Also, in the tradition of “learning to walk before you run,” it may not be a bad idea to get in a few barefoot walks on well-maintained hiking trail (natural surfaces are best) before moving on to barefoot running.