stomper
Guest
Erin and TJ, I hate to be a pain. But this post appears on the BRS front page, and therefore to some extent represents something about the BRS, and there are several things about this post that I just can't let pass by without questioning in the same manner as we question all sorts of foot-related claims.
First of all this post is an adaption of a different, longer post which reports that the panel of "experts" actually discourage barefoot running. The original reporting says they recommended "barefoot strengthening in lieu of barefoot running." See http://runclub.denverathleticclub.net/2010/03/18/barefoot-running/ .
Now this article changes that to strengthening before attempting to run barefoot. Which is quite different. But. Ok. Let's go with that. No one could argue with the three exercises listed. But the claim at the end "Strengthening the foot will lead to better biomechanics and fewer foot and lower leg injuries" is on one part, vague, and on another part, without evidence. "Better biomechanics" is an abstract concept that can't be summarized by a simple set of repeatable measurements. And while fewer injuries sounds great, where is the evidence and what is the control group? Were two groups of people compared when they started to run barefoot, one who did exercises and one who did not? And isn't gradually adopting barefoot running in itself a foot strengthening program? Is this entire conclusion about injuries from anecdote?
One constant theme in running discussions lately has been "trying to professionalize the benefits of barefoot running." Obviously certain shoe manufacturers (newton e.g.) have been trying to take the idea of barefoot running and sell it as a package so that people won't just do it. I see a certain parallel in some recent threads (including this one) about the need for people to perfect their musculature, etc. before or in lieu of going barefoot. While I agree that modern life has really made people quite inactive, I am very skeptical of this whole professionalized view. I think it's okay to try to run a quarter mile without doing a workout or seeing a professional. We shouldn't be suggesting that people need approval to walk or run in their bare feet. Mostly the "experts" they will be seeking approval from have very little actual working knowledge of barefoot running (having not done it themselves or seen many who do it) and therefore wouldn't offer good advice anyway.
Just my 98 cents.
First of all this post is an adaption of a different, longer post which reports that the panel of "experts" actually discourage barefoot running. The original reporting says they recommended "barefoot strengthening in lieu of barefoot running." See http://runclub.denverathleticclub.net/2010/03/18/barefoot-running/ .
Now this article changes that to strengthening before attempting to run barefoot. Which is quite different. But. Ok. Let's go with that. No one could argue with the three exercises listed. But the claim at the end "Strengthening the foot will lead to better biomechanics and fewer foot and lower leg injuries" is on one part, vague, and on another part, without evidence. "Better biomechanics" is an abstract concept that can't be summarized by a simple set of repeatable measurements. And while fewer injuries sounds great, where is the evidence and what is the control group? Were two groups of people compared when they started to run barefoot, one who did exercises and one who did not? And isn't gradually adopting barefoot running in itself a foot strengthening program? Is this entire conclusion about injuries from anecdote?
One constant theme in running discussions lately has been "trying to professionalize the benefits of barefoot running." Obviously certain shoe manufacturers (newton e.g.) have been trying to take the idea of barefoot running and sell it as a package so that people won't just do it. I see a certain parallel in some recent threads (including this one) about the need for people to perfect their musculature, etc. before or in lieu of going barefoot. While I agree that modern life has really made people quite inactive, I am very skeptical of this whole professionalized view. I think it's okay to try to run a quarter mile without doing a workout or seeing a professional. We shouldn't be suggesting that people need approval to walk or run in their bare feet. Mostly the "experts" they will be seeking approval from have very little actual working knowledge of barefoot running (having not done it themselves or seen many who do it) and therefore wouldn't offer good advice anyway.
Just my 98 cents.