BAREFOOT-STYLE RUNNING: Why it's better.

One year ago this month I changed to barefoot-style running, and it has been one of my best decisions ever.  I made the change after reading the book, Born to Run, by Christopher McDougal, which should move to the very top of your must-read list if you're a runner.

Here's a quick summary of my year-long test of this style: Running is "smoother", it hurts less and it's more fun.  But don't take my word for it.  Research backs me up 100%.

First of all, here's the definition of barefoot-style running:

• Running with no heel-strike.  Just as if you were running in place, only moving forward.

BF style running does not mean you ARE shoeless.  It means you are running AS IF you were shoeless.  If you were running barefoot on a sidewalk you would automatically run only on your forefoot, because landing on your heel would HURT.  The heavy landing on your unprotected heel bone would quickly leave you painful and gimpy.

BF style running means landing on your springy forefoot (the front part of the foot, starting at the natural "bend"), allowing your calves to act as shock absorbers and eliminating the "shock-wave" that occurs every time you land on your heel.

NOTE: You can run in barefoot style WITH or WITHOUT shoes. You do NOT have to wear the Vibram 5-Finger shoes.  :)

Did you know that the running world NEVER used a heel-strike technique until 1972?  EVERYONE ran in barefoot style back then, and all running shoes were thin-soled and slipper-like.

In 1972 Nike came out with the Cortez shoe, which for the first time ever sported a hugely cushioned heel, and encouraged runners to lengthen their stride by landing on their heels instead of their forefeet.  It seemed good on paper, but running injuries have steadily increased EVER SINCE.

Runners are hurting themselves more than ever, even in more and more technologically advanced shoes.

And it's all because we're taking away our foot's built-in ability to absorb impact safely.  "Motion control", "multi-angle forefoot gel pods", "midfoot thrust enhancers" and even microprocessors that automatically adjust cushioning for every stride -- all of these shoe features cause MORE injuries -- not LESS.

Over a decade ago a Swiss study found that wearing top-of-the-line running shoes made you 123% more likely to get injured than wearing cheap ones.  What's the difference between expensive shoes & cheap ones?  MOTION CONTROL.  The high-dollar shoes are expensive precisely because of all the technology added to the shoe. These fancy features all prevent your foot from protecting itself.  Which means more injuries.

Need proof?  Read the research I've linked below.  And stay tuned -- in my next article we'll explain how to transition from traditional heel-strike running over to barefoot-style running -- SAFELY.  It's easy, but you have to do it right.

Are you running barefoot style already?  Check in!

-Daniel Bockmann, DC

To see Harvard research on barefoot style, plus video comparisons, click here: http://www.barefootrunning.fas.harvard.edu/4BiomechanicsofFootStrike.html

To read more about the re-discovery of barefoot style, click here: http://www.chrismcdougall.com/barefoot.html

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