SOLE Blog
February 23rd, 2009
Health care for runners can take a complex path
The Vancouver Sun posted an article concerning foot health that is worth reading:
View "Health care for runners can take a complex path" at vancouversun.com
Source: VancouverSun.com
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Comments (3)
On March 1st, 2009, David said:
Preventing foot and lower body pains or injuries will not come from introducing more layers of technology between the sole and the ground. Instead strengthen your feet and your knees by migrating to barefoot running. Modern running shoes cause heel-strike thus immense damage to the body. Don't believe me? Run across your house in your sneaks then barefoot. Note how differently your foot will touch. Now stop and think... Which is natural?
On March 2nd, 2009, Russell said:
Why would anyone rationally think that "modern running shoes cause ... immense damage to the body"? C'mon, this is just plain silly. Of course you run differently barefoot, but not necessarily better because it's "natural". Modern running shoes allow you to run further and further, by absorbing shock and avoiding sharp object trauma. Don't believe me? Run a trail marathon or an ultra in your sneaks then barefoot. Having the right technology between your foot and the ground actually does prevent - and even cure - foot and leg injury. Running around barefoot may look cool and quirky, but it's a daft as not wearing gloves in winter, or not wearing a crash helmet on a motorbike, or arc welding nekkid.
On March 2nd, 2009, David said:
Running shoes CAUSE not allow one to run further and further when one's body (feet) may have not been conditioned to do so. Couple that will heel-strike (thanks to shoes) you have a recipe for injury. I've been there, as have many others. There and many long distance runner that go sans shoes - this requires training. As does any other physical activity. Cushioning shoes prevent the foot from sending valuable & critically important sensory information to the brain (advising you of when to easy off for instance) while causing atrophy of the foot muscles (causing you to go harder/faster with poor form). The foot's arch is naturally designed to be a spring, propelling you gently forward. Suggesting that "not necessarily better because it's "natural"" is the what is plainly silly and quite frankly not rational in the least.