Barefoot Running VS New Shoe Technology

There are a growing number of people who are barefoot running, embracing the barefoot lifestyle VS the new shoe technology. There is controversy between the experts as to the benefits of barefoot running VS quality running shoes. There are not enough studies done at this point for any meaningful statistics. Regardless running is great exercise with or without shoes.

Barefoot running advocates contend that running barefoot improves foot biomechanics and reduces injury risk. Studies have found that running barefoot efficiency increases about 4%. There really is a lack of design that compares barefoot running with runners wearing shoes at this point. Some experts agree with the barefoot runners as they say wearing shoes causes the small muscles in our feet to weaken and the tendons, ligaments and natural arches to stop doing their job. They believe that the support inserts, orthotics, plus the extra cushioning is poor foot biomechanics and increases the risk of foot, leg and knee injuries.

Sports Science states barefoot running is associated with substantially lower prevalence of acute injuries of the ankle and chronic injuries of the lower leg. Laboratory studies show that energy cost of running is reduced by about 4% when the feet are bare. Barefoot running in competition is still rare at this time.

There are several chronic injuries that can occur with running.  One of the most common is planter fascitis which is an inflammation of the ligament running along side the foot.   Barefoot running may reduce the risk for this injury as it may induce an adaptation that transfers the impact to the yielding musculature, thus sparing the fascia.  Chronic ailments including shin splints, ilio-tibial band syndrome and peri-patellar pain are attributed to excessive pronation. so running barefoot may relieve these conditions as well.  By oldest son has had a big problem with shin splints and had all but given up running.  Now he has started running barefoot and so far he has had no physical problems

I on the other hand, have been wearing New Balance for at least the last 15 years, maybe more.  I cannot even walk barefooted very comfortably.  I use orthotics in my shoes and every podiatrist I have ever seen has recommended that I wear New Balance shoes for women, actually New Balance walking shoes.  In addition to the walking shoes, New Balance makes running shoes, New Balance slip on shoes, New Balance trail shoes and their shoes fit the whole family.  Much of their popularity is due to the fact that they make shoes for all sizes from a 2A to a 6E.  Most companies don’t make this variety of sizes in athletic shoes.  Also they have a very stringent quality control and if there is the slightest flaw the shoes get sent to a second hand store

Now, for those that want to run in shoes there is a huge variety. Famous athletics often promote the better know varieties, such as Niki, Adidas, Reebok, New Balance and so forth, Most of the shoes are designed in the USA or England but actually made in Asia, particularly China and Vietnam. New Balance athletic shoes are designed and made at 5 different factories in the USA., so they are the only ones I am aware of that can actually put the Made in the USA symbol on the shoe. Asics is a newer athletic shoe started in Tokyo with the design of a basketball shoe. The name is actually an acronym for a happy lifestyle that promotes total health and fitness. They now have companies around the world.

Barefoot running seems to be a trend that is catching on although there are plenty of people that have their favorite athletic shoe.

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Your choice of shoes is just about endless and maybe you want to try running barefoot. I like to walk, so that is my exercise. There a number of great brands of shoes. I ran for several years when I was younger, but I don’t think I would have ever been a barefoot runner, except when I was a child. I stayed bare footed as often as possible back then.