Anybody personally noticed a change in arch height from barefoot running?
- Thread starter 7055
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Nope. The only things that noticeably happened to my feet after I transitioned was the gap between my big toe and the rest of my phalanges extending to about 3/4 of an inch or so, and the normal development of calluses. My understanding is that as long as you do it correctly and don't overextend yourself, running barefoot strengthens the arch.
Also, the gap between my toes is likely unrelated to my transition. It's probably because after I did so, I started trying to carry large rocks between my toes for extended periods.
Also, the gap between my toes is likely unrelated to my transition. It's probably because after I did so, I started trying to carry large rocks between my toes for extended periods.
What is the big concern with arch height? As I mentioned in your other post my arches haven't noticeably changed in the 4-5 years I've been running barefoot. It's possible they have a small amount, but not enough I can notice. What should be of more concern is good gait and stronger muscles, bones, ligaments, and tendons, and more foot dexterity.
Howdy, 7055!
I agree with Tristan, on this. I have not noticed any difference in my arch. However, I have noticed four other changes in my foot: 1) I can splay out my toes now. I have happy toes.
2) My shoe size increased from an 11 to a 12. 3) a few more callouses, and 4) a stronger lower-leg and foot, in general.
I agree with Tristan, on this. I have not noticed any difference in my arch. However, I have noticed four other changes in my foot: 1) I can splay out my toes now. I have happy toes.
2) My shoe size increased from an 11 to a 12. 3) a few more callouses, and 4) a stronger lower-leg and foot, in general.I have low arches, and I guess why wouldn't one be concerned with arch height? Certainly flat or low arches are not as supportive as normal arches, no? Additionally they cause the femur to rotate inwards, pelvis to rotate anteriorly and lordosis of the spine which means you're going to be more likely to have back problems. The skeletal system is all one, and the feet are our foundation, why shouldn't we be concerned with arch height?
I feel it's a questions worth asking. I would be curious to know if those whom didn't see any difference in arch height had good arches to begin with.
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Close to 7 years running barefoot I have no change in my arch, my feet are still flat like pancakes. They have gotten slightly wider though.
my feet changed a lot in three years,
wider, toes more open, arch more pronounced, lines more curved...
wider, toes more open, arch more pronounced, lines more curved...
I'd have to do some research to answer that properly as I've never heard these things associated with low arches. There are certainly plenty of runners out there and on this site that have low arches. Wasn't it barefoot Ken Bob that had low arches (I can't remember for sure) and he is one of the most famous barefooters. I tried to search quick but only found him answering some arch questions on his site (not specifically about his own arches but found this statement:
"Over time your foot arches should strengthen with exercise. As you build gradually and gently they may or may not become more arched, but that, we have discovered from many people with little or no foot arches, does not seem to be important. The important thing is that the foot is allowed to flex and exercise, and that the sole can feel all of the stresses and strains , so that we can eliminate those stresses and strains BEFORE causing long-term injury."
It is quite possible mine have somewhat changed, I guess these changes would only be detectable by exact before and after pictures or the like.
The only I've noticed so far is that my feet ar getting a bit wider after 5 months of BF running, and also the confirmation that one of my feet overpronates. However, from what I've seen in the last months, feet tend to pronation when running barefoot.
At the end of the day, the question should be: does it hurt? If you are getting pain somewhere, then you should get it checked. If not, I would not care. Hopefully, barefoot running will help you change your style before you get any pelvic or dorsal pain.
Cheers!
PS: I'm not a great expert, and I might be wrong, but it always draws my attention how worried people is about arch support, as though foot arches were supposed to work as solid stone vaults when they have to be flexible instead.
At the end of the day, the question should be: does it hurt? If you are getting pain somewhere, then you should get it checked. If not, I would not care. Hopefully, barefoot running will help you change your style before you get any pelvic or dorsal pain.
Cheers!
PS: I'm not a great expert, and I might be wrong, but it always draws my attention how worried people is about arch support, as though foot arches were supposed to work as solid stone vaults when they have to be flexible instead.
Agree with what's been said above. The height of someone's arch doesn't matter as long as the foot is strong, healthy and functional otherwise.
More reading on this topic also at this older thread.
More reading on this topic also at this older thread.
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Interesting, @paraganek , that in that thread you refer to that you also refer to another older thread. 
good stuff though, I miss some of those folks that aren't around anymore. Reminds me it's been a long time since I checked Zapmama's blog, always some interesting stuff in there!
good stuff though, I miss some of those folks that aren't around anymore. Reminds me it's been a long time since I checked Zapmama's blog, always some interesting stuff in there!Try it, take your shoes off and flex the muscles in your foot that exaggerate your arches, you'll see your leg rotate outward as the arch is more pronounced and inward as it collapses. This puts more strain on the knees as they are not as aligned as they could be without the arches in your foot. Also, depending on how aware you are of other people, you may or may not have noticed how many people have slouching shoulders, a belly, and a butt that sticks out because of the anterior tilt of their pelvis and subsequent curvature of their spine. In other words very poor posture. In males the pelvis should only tilt anteriorly about 0 - 5 degrees and a little more for girls. But because everybody sits at a desk all day, they have this bad, out of alignment posture and it does infact correlate to flat feet as well. The two contribute to each other to some extent although it is possible to have one without the other.
