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Nowadays, people sport vibrams while exercising, participate in barefoot running or promote running on the beach barefoot.  With the trend shifting towards no shoes, is it better to walk, much less run without shoes?

Research at the University of Queensland for Sensorimotor Performance has found that running with modern-day designed shoes may actually impede leg and foot-spring function.  The internal musculature in the calves, ankle and feet are therefore utilized less.   Properly designed shoes on the other hand, provide extra support and often times allow for longer periods of running and/or exercise.  This particular study and others echo the fundamental biological principal that our bodies learn to adapt to whichever form of equipment we use.  If we run with a well designed shoe, the strenuous ankle flexion and impact on the pavement may be alleviated, but this may in turn allow for more efficient forward spring action (something many shoe designers use to market their product).  Our feet naturally adjust to the shoe.  Read further about the study here.

Interestingly enough, studies such as these suggest that shoes increase the intramuscular output during exercise rather than impair the overall mechanical control of the individual.  This means more muscle activity and better long-term feet mechanics.  Furthermore, should one leg or foot be slightly longer than the other orthotics and/or inserts such as Superfeet can go a long way towards alleviating pain from ailments such as Plantar Fasciitis to ligament strains.

In short,  keep your feet happy.  Personally, I wouldn’t run barefoot on concrete, because common sense tells me that would be too jarring.  However, on grass or sand? Go ahead!  Otherwise, stick to a well designed shoe that keeps you supported and happy.  No, you don’t have to be “gellin” to safely run, just know your proper shoe size and make sure it’s not too loose.  Last, but not least, for long city walks look for a shoe that’s difficult to bend transversely or horizontally.  The sole should be nice and stiff.  You on the other hand, should not be; it’s all in the shoe.

Keep walkin,

Nattapon Jontom Abbett

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