:D Barefoot Running

[Roy Scott]

The years from 1-12 are the key ones when it comes to the development and mechanics of the 26 muscles of the foot, including the spring like muscles and tendons that make up the foot arch. If you dont believe me, go to Kenya. After this I think there is a limit to the amount of spring you can generate from the foot arch. As soon as you encapusulate and cushion your foot for all these early years the mechanics are pretty much set and this foot arch in particular becomes rigid.

Based on this please dont take the barefoot thing too literally and waste all your hard earned pennies on the rip off minimal trainer industry.

[Penguin]

The years from 1-12 are the key ones when it comes to the development and mechanics of the 26 muscles of the foot, including the spring like muscles and tendons that make up the foot arch. If you dont believe me, go to Kenya. After this I think there is a limit to the amount of spring you can generate from the foot arch. As soon as you encapusulate and cushion your foot for all these early years the mechanics are pretty much set and this foot arch in particular becomes rigid.

Based on this please dont take the barefoot thing too literally and waste all your hard earned pennies on the rip off minimal trainer industry.

valid point and well said as it's true.

[Twister]

The years from 1-12 are the key ones when it comes to the development and mechanics of the 26 muscles of the foot, including the spring like muscles and tendons that make up the foot arch. If you dont believe me, go to Kenya. After this I think there is a limit to the amount of spring you can generate from the foot arch. As soon as you encapusulate and cushion your foot for all these early years the mechanics are pretty much set and this foot arch in particular becomes rigid.

Based on this please dont take the barefoot thing too literally and waste all your hard earned pennies on the rip off minimal trainer industry.

Strongly disagree with your post. Where is the evidence - scientific peer reviewed, that states that your foot arch can't re-develop after the age of 12? Where did you get this little factoid from anyway? I don't think you can make statements like this without backing them up with some very good studies other than the anecdotal "if you don't believe me got to kenya"

It beggars belief that people who have experienced strength gains in their legs, through a sport such as fell running, would not be open to the thought that maybe, just maybe the foot can be strengthened as well.

Why do we need to generate spring from our foot arch? I thought that the arch was part of the cushioning system, its the achillies tendon where you want your spring, surely. Of course most people are used to day to day foot wear with a higher heel to toe, and running shoes that are the same and will have a shortened and ineffective achilles as a result.

Why do you think that the foot arch can't become more flexible with rehab exercise such as barefoot running? Have you tried it for yourself?

From a personal perspective I will never go back to a running shoe that isn't flat, or close to flat (zero differential from forefoot to heel) I've got 2 years of experience running minimalist (and barefoot at times) over rough trails, fells and mountains, with an ultra race under my belt using minimalist shoes. That's 2 years of injury free running, something that I haven't experienced since I started running competitively.

I feel that the minimalist shoe industry is not a rip off - it is a result of the many peer review studies in to barefoot biomechanics, the vast majority of minimal runners require a shoe that gives them just the right amount of protection and traction for the various terrains that they run on, the development of minimal shoes costs money, and its a niche market at the moment so they will be expensive. Interestingly, most minimal shoes seem to last a lot longer than normal shoes; I'm still on my first pair of vibrams, used for at least 5 miles each week, on forest track trail and malvern granite, and they're still looking good after almost 2 years.

[MorganW]

link not working..

Try again:

http://www.irunfar.com/2011/01/best-...orsm-2010.html

[bfluc]

Here in that blog post there is an animated GIF of the evolution of my foot over 3 years

http://www.adventureinprogress.com/lucs-barefoot-transformation
http://www.adventureinprogress.com/l...transformation

would we say after looking at that picrture that the canMt redevelop after the age of 12?

Strongly disagree with your post. Where is the evidence - scientific peer reviewed, that states that your foot arch can't re-develop after the age of 12? Where did you get this little factoid from anyway? I don't think you can make statements like this without backing them up with some very good studies other than the anecdotal "if you don't believe me got to kenya"

It beggars belief that people who have experienced strength gains in their legs, through a sport such as fell running, would not be open to the thought that maybe, just maybe the foot can be strengthened as well.

Why do we need to generate spring from our foot arch? I thought that the arch was part of the cushioning system, its the achillies tendon where you want your spring, surely. Of course most people are used to day to day foot wear with a higher heel to toe, and running shoes that are the same and will have a shortened and ineffective achilles as a result.

Why do you think that the foot arch can't become more flexible with rehab exercise such as barefoot running? Have you tried it for yourself?

[...]

[Derby Tup]

The years from 1-12 are the key ones when it comes to the development and mechanics of the 26 muscles of the foot, including the spring like muscles and tendons that make up the foot arch. If you dont believe me, go to Kenya. After this I think there is a limit to the amount of spring you can generate from the foot arch. As soon as you encapusulate and cushion your foot for all these early years the mechanics are pretty much set and this foot arch in particular becomes rigid.

Based on this please dont take the barefoot thing too literally and waste all your hard earned pennies on the rip off minimal trainer industry.

Why should we go to Kenya?

Are you suggesting that the 'minimal trainer industry' is a rip-off, but other areas of the sports footwear market aren't?

[jhb0510]

Having started running barefoot and in minimal footwaer at the age of 42 I can say for sure there are benefits to be had. I have been plagued with lower leg problems for over 20 years. Since I started barefooting I have had none of these problems. My feet are definately stronger as well. As for the rip off minimal footwear industry, why not try running with no shoes on, that is pretty cheap. If you are running on an even surface, and your feet have not toughened up enough yet to run barefoot fulltime, or it is too cold, try a pair of Tesco beach shoes, £5 a pair. For rough stuff I favour VFF Flow treks,f lite 195s or x talon 190s.
I wish people wouldn't knock things they have not tried properly, try opening your minds, you may find something that will make life better!

[lowden]

First run out in my VFF I got for Christmas. Really enjoyed the run (4 miles) only got slightly sore calves, everything else feels fine. Another 4 on Thursday I think.

[Roy Scott]

Strongly disagree with your post. Where is the evidence - scientific peer reviewed, that states that your foot arch can't re-develop after the age of 12? Where did you get this little factoid from anyway? I don't think you can make statements like this without backing them up with some very good studies other than the anecdotal "if you don't believe me got to kenya"

It beggars belief that people who have experienced strength gains in their legs, through a sport such as fell running, would not be open to the thought that maybe, just maybe the foot can be strengthened as well.

Why do we need to generate spring from our foot arch? I thought that the arch was part of the cushioning system, its the achillies tendon where you want your spring, surely. Of course most people are used to day to day foot wear with a higher heel to toe, and running shoes that are the same and will have a shortened and ineffective achilles as a result.

Why do you think that the foot arch can't become more flexible with rehab exercise such as barefoot running? Have you tried it for yourself?

From a personal perspective I will never go back to a running shoe that isn't flat, or close to flat (zero differential from forefoot to heel) I've got 2 years of experience running minimalist (and barefoot at times) over rough trails, fells and mountains, with an ultra race under my belt using minimalist shoes. That's 2 years of injury free running, something that I haven't experienced since I started running competitively.

I feel that the minimalist shoe industry is not a rip off - it is a result of the many peer review studies in to barefoot biomechanics, the vast majority of minimal runners require a shoe that gives them just the right amount of protection and traction for the various terrains that they run on, the development of minimal shoes costs money, and its a niche market at the moment so they will be expensive. Interestingly, most minimal shoes seem to last a lot longer than normal shoes; I'm still on my first pair of vibrams, used for at least 5 miles each week, on forest track trail and malvern granite, and they're still looking good after almost 2 years.

Factoid, I love it.
Before you jump up and down on this post with your fingers in your ears, maybe I should make my position absolutely clear. I do not believe in locking the foot away and preventing the muscles and the tendons of the foot from being active during running gait. I am sure that this mal practice actually inhibits and in some cases injures the athlete; so we do have some common territory.

However you can only go so far and alot on this thread are giving the impression that less is better and that is simply wrong and dangerous. I tried barefoot running and got injured despite a gradual reduction in support, culminating in the inov8 Flite 220's with minimal heel differential. My foot arch simply could not cope. I work with 100's of runners and for every 1 athlete that gets on with it there are 9 that dont and end up injured. But I am just one person, and I dont expect a single case study should be the be all and end all of how effective it is, you have to open your mind a little.

Now you asked for some research to back up my claim. There is masses of it out there but this is particularly good.

Footprint analysis during the growth period.
[My paper] J B Volpon
Division of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, Brazil.
Static footprints were obtained from 672 healthy white subjects ranging in age from newborn to 15 years. The length of the footprint was measured and the medial longitudinal arch was evaluated. The findings showed that the feet grew most rapidly up to 3 years of age. From age 3 onward, the feet maintained an almost constant growth rate, which was the same for both sexes until age 12 years, when girls' feet stopped growing, but boys' feet exhibited further growth. From birth up to 2 years of age, there was a higher incidence of flat feet. Rapid progression of plantar arch development was observed between 2 and 6 years of age.

Now as you can see the arch is set during early years. If you have not got an efficient, flexible arch during early years you are stuck with it. You can certainly strengthen the muscles and tendons around the area, but you can do little about the arch size and elasticity. You may be lucky and you may be one of these, but stick the majority in Vibrams and you are on the fast track to injury. Primal patterning is not just restricted to foot archs, but other bodily paramenters. I am sure you are aware that optimal bone denisity is governed by diet and lifestyle during early years. You can slow the decline, but you can do little about the optimal density levels.

[Roy Scott]

Why should we go to Kenya?

Are you suggesting that the 'minimal trainer industry' is a rip-off, but other areas of the sports footwear market aren't?

You should go there because you will see thousands of kids that can not afford shoes that stunt foot arch development. Then if you stick around you will also see them, funds and opportunities permitting, develop into efficient runners that grace the very ground they run on.

Oh and before you ask, I have been there and seen it.

Of course I accept that other areas of the footwear market are a rip off. However for the amount of material and manufacturing required to make a pair of Vibrams for example, its a new level of ripping people off and tearing the a** out of your hard earned money. They are essentialy socks with a minimal sole.