Ditching the Shoes: Is Running Barefoot the New Fitness Trend?

Posted on Apr 25th 2011 12:31PM by That's Fit Editors

By Neal M. Blitz, D.P.M., F.A.C.F.A.S.

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The Barefoot Runners Society has proclaimed May 1, 2011 as the Inaugural "International Barefoot Running Day." With the increasing awareness of barefoot running, it is likely that you will encounter someone running without his or her sneakers and they may even be wearing the nicely designed specialty T-shirt.

Experienced barefoot runners are passionate about the movement. Simple searches on the Internet reveal numerous people telling their stories. Some runners claim that they run "without effort" after tossing their shoes aside. Others describe a connection to the ground and earth that didn't exist prior. Previously injured runners tout how running barefoot may have cured long-standing foot problems. Some run marathons barefoot.

What's obvious is that barefoot runners describe an overwhelming positive experience. They are not selling you something but their personal account -- and I believe a powerful message. The negative stories are few and far between and only seem to revolve around early stages of running without 'protection.' There has yet to be a barefoot running tragedy.

Visit HuffPost Health to read the pros and cons of embarking on this shoeless fitness trend.

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Tags: running, running barefoot, running without sneakers, sneakers

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Ruth Rowe 4-25-2011 @ 7:10PM

Going Barefoot is okay if you are not Diabetic for Diabetic`s going bare foot is a no,no, I know as I am a Diabetic I have been Diabetic for 20 years the only place I go barefot is in My home and I still have both My own legs and feet . And I am 70 years old.

brandyandmeg-inq 4-25-2011 @ 9:37PM

@Ruth - Good for you! Sounds like you're a diligent patient who does exactly what needs to be done to preserve your health! Now if only other patients battling diabetes were as steadfast in their dedication to healthy living as you, I firmly believe our healthcare system would also feel the relief of not having to invest so much time, money and effort to treating folks with the innumerable complications of diabetes. Hey, every little bit helps! I wish you many, many more healthy, happy years ahead, and keep preaching the healthy diabetes living principles!!

D Patterson 4-26-2011 @ 8:00AM

A nice quick over view, pls also consider 1) there are also studies showing that use of barefoot training strategies have been shown to reduce plantar surface areas - over a short term the only way this would be possible would a strengthening of the supportive musculature and/or the actualization of a less pronated foot position 2)yes podiatrists,and the like, express a concern over the safety issue and possibly directed towards the puncture issue, it would be nice then to see how many patient visits are attributable to punctures.
It does make sense that putting anything into a restrictive environment would lead to atrophy, or for any organism (the foot is a living organism) that is insulated from minute strain and stress would atrophy. Both soft tissue and bone require strain and stress to continue their development and strengthening.
A major issue that is not often looked at is the issue that most people spend 10+ hours a day in shoes (most of our employers are not so keen on a dress pants and barefeet). There are bio-feedback based insoles that can be used in those shoes to encourage a strengthening of the foot’s supporting muscles. One thing that minimal shoes still continue to do is provide sensory insulation, putting something in direct contact with the foot’s plantar surface can provide the sensory biofeedback stimuli to encourage muscle activation and development.
I would strongly agree with the proponents of barefoot, however as a realist we still need to wear shoes – so we should be looking at bio-feedback insole systems, there is one called Barefoot Science, that make the in-shoe environment healthier and less of an atrophying environment. I’m not 100% sure that making the purist barefoot commitment is realistic for all people, and t for those for whom it is not they can still benefit from stronger feet.