If you’re a runner, you’ve probably at least heard about Chi Running, Evolution Running, or any of the various barefoot/natural-based philosophies. Since reading “Born to Run” last year, I’ve rambled on and on to anyone even marginally interested in running about the Tarahumara Indians who run ultramarathon distances through the mountainous terrain in Mexico. In sandals. Just for fun. And never get injured.
The common thread here is the notion that runners no longer run how we’re biomechanically designed to. If you run barefoot, you aren’t going to heel-strike (that is, land with your heel first) because it’s painful. Instead you’ll land on the forefoot and release the impact force gradually across the entire foot. The problem with using overly-cushioned running shoes is that it encourages you to heel-strike because you can’t feel it. Over time, though, the impact will hurt your ankles, knees, hips, or back.
Anyhow, this video shows some of Harvard professor Daniel Lieberman’s research into this idea.
Oh, and you don’t need to actually run barefoot to learn to cure your heel-strike. The Nike Free mimics barefoot running to some degree and lots of people are using Vibram FiveFingers (though, I haven’t had a chance yet).
