And someone tell me what Kenny B is wearing on his feet in this photo. They aren't Nike Frres or Asics Tai Chis, I can tell that much right away.
And someone tell me what Kenny B is wearing on his feet in this photo. They aren't Nike Frres or Asics Tai Chis, I can tell that much right away.
Or what Geb is wearing here.
That first Bekele link didn't work.
This one should.
Damn it!
Just type Kenenisa Bekele in Google Image Search, there should be a photo near the bottom of the page of Bekele running in regular trainers.
crippled former runner wrote:I can't run anymore due to arthritis, but if I could have another chance, I'd run barefoot as much as humanely possible.
Because some of us live in Phoenix, Arizona, where it is 100 degrees or more 150 days a year, and the pavement/dirt is hotter than hell. And the grass has enough broken glass and dog sh*t in it to send you to the hospital with a nasty infection. And because I can't run without custom orthotics, which I can't exactly duct tape to my feet every day.
sjc wrote:
please show some stats behind this.....you have absolutely no proof that someone is less likely to be injured when running barefoot/minimalist, just your opinion.
and as far as elites training minimalist it's probably during workouts and that's it. do you really think bekele, geb, tergat, etc are doing 20 mile runs in something like the streak xc??? when one of you barefoot/minimalist people can make top 10 in the US 1500m through marathon then i might stop laughing at you. until then, you jokers need to stop spouting off your opinions as fact and post something more substantial.
I've posted this before, and I'll post it again:
Check out the following links and cited resources (these aren't peer-reviewed articles, but many of the citations are):
http://www.sportsci.org/jour/0103/mw.htmhttp://web.archive.org/web/20040626060315/http://nhscc.home.comcast.net/l3_paper.htmDr. Rossi is a well-respected podiatrist:
http://www.unshod.org/pfbc/pfrossi2.htmHere's abstracts and highlights (although I have a few of these as full-text).
Int J Sports Med. 2005 Sep;26(7):593-8. Related Articles, Links
Mechanical comparison of barefoot and shod running.
Divert C, Mornieux G, Baur H, Mayer F, Belli A.
Laboratory of Physiology, GIP Exercice-Sport-Sante, University of Saint-Etienne, France.
caroline.divert@univ-st-etienne.frIn order to further compare shod versus barefoot running, 35 subjects ran two bouts of 4 minutes at 3.33 m x s(-1) on a treadmill dynamometer. Parameters were measured on about 60 consecutive steps. Barefoot showed mainly lower contact and flight time (p < 0.05), lower passive peak (1.48 versus 1.70 body weight, p < 0.05), higher braking and pushing impulses (p < 0.05), and higher pre-activation of triceps surae muscles (p < 0.05) than shod. It was concluded that when performed on a sufficient number of steps, barefoot running leads to a reduction of impact peak in order to reduce the high mechanical stress occurring during repetitive steps. This neural-mechanical adaptation could also enhance the storage and restitution of elastic energy at ankle extensors level.
J Biomech. 2000 Mar;33(3):269-78. Related Articles, Links
Biomechanical analysis of the stance phase during barefoot and shod running.
De Wit B, De Clercq D, Aerts P.
Department of Movement and Sport Sciences, University of Ghent, Belgium.
This study investigated spatio-temporal variables, ground reaction forces and sagittal and frontal plane kinematics during the stance phase of nine trained subjects running barefoot and shod at three different velocities (3.5, 4.5, 5.5 m s(-1)). Differences between conditions were detected with the general linear method (factorial model). Barefoot running is characterized by a significantly larger external loading rate than the shod condition. The flatter foot placement at touchdown is prepared in free flight, implying an actively induced adaptation strategy. In the barefoot condition, plantar pressure measurements reveal a flatter foot placement to correlate with lower peak heel pressures. Therefore, it is assumed that runners adopt this different touchdown geometry in barefoot running in an attempt to limit the local pressure underneath the heel. A significantly higher leg stiffness during the stance phase was found for the barefoot condition. The sagittal kinematic adaptations between conditions were found in the same way for all subjects and at the three running velocities. However, large individual variations were observed between the runners for the rearfoot kinematics.
Ounpuu, Sylvia, William B. Workman, and Peter A. DeLuca. "A Comparison of Barefoot versus Shod Running Using 3D Gait Analysis." Abstracts of the 5th Annual Gait and Clinical Movement Analysis Meeting, April 2000
Discussion
....when running barefoot the majority of runners in this study either adopted a foot flat or toe initial contact pattern.... the slight increases in plantar flexion in combination with the removal of the shoe (mean heel height of 2.8 cm, which was 1.2 cm greater than the forefoot thickness) may have resulted in the decreased incidence of heel contact when barefoot.... The lack of protective cushioning when barefoot also resulted in changes at both the ankle and knee kinematic and kinetics in stance. The data suggest that the impact absorption was completed more at the ankle and less at the knee when barefoot in comparison to shod. The runners in this study reduced the demand on the knee by reducing the peak knee flexion, extensor moment and power absorption (and associated eccentric contraction of the quadriceps) during the absorption phase during barefoot versus shod running. These findings may have clinical implications with respect to anterior knee pain, which accounts for up to 30% of all running injuries (5). That is, adopting a foot flat or toe initial contact pattern may reduce the knee loads during stance and thus anterior knee pain.
http://web.archive.org/web/20040728050600/http://www.indiana.edu/~hperk500/gcma00a/Abstract159.pdf
As it relates to pronation:
The torsion of the foot in running. / (La torsion du pied lors de la course.)
Author(s): Stacoff, A.; Kaelin, X.; Stuessi, E.; Segesser, B. Source: International journal of sport biomechanics (Champaign, Ill.), Nov 1989: 5 (4). p. 375-389
Abstract: In the research of running shoes, excessive pronation is often related to various running injuries. Anatomically, pronation is a movement that occurs in more than one joint. Previous investigations that evaluated the pronation in running studied the movements of the lower leg and the rearfoot only. However, pronation could also be influenced by the movement of the forefoot and therefore depend on the torsional stiffness of the foot and of the shoe sole. This study investigated the relationship between the torsion and the pronation in running with a rearfoot touchdown and with a forefoot touchdown. The results show that, compared to running barefoot, running with a shoe decreases torsion and thereby increases pronation significantly for the forefoot and rearfoot touchdown conditions. Thus the reduction of torsional movement due to stiff shoe soles could well be a reason for running injuries caused by excessive pronation. It is concluded that modern running shoes could be designedto allow a certain torsional movement of the foot.
As it relates to energy cost:
Effects of shoes and foot orthotics on VO2 and selected frontal plane knee kinematics. / (Effets des chaussures et des semelles orthopediques sur la consommation d' oxygene et certains parametres cinematiques frontaux du genou.)
Author(s): Burkett, L.N.; Kohrt, W.M.; Buchbinder, R.
Source: Medicine and science in sports and exercise (Madison, Wis.), Feb 1985: 17 (1). p. 158-163
Abstract: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of shoes and foot orthotics on running economy and selected frontal plane knee kinematics during the support phase of running. Twenty-one male runners who had been fitted with orthotics served as subjects. Subjects participated in three submaximal runs on a treadmill under the following conditions: (1) barefoot, (2) shoes, and (3) shoes plus orthotics. Angular displacement of the knee during barefoot running was significantly less than shoe and shoe-plus-orthotic conditions. There was no difference, however, between shoes and shoes plus orthotics. The economy results revealed that the aerobic cost of running increased as the amount of mass added to the foot increased. In absolute terms, running in shoes plus orthotics was significantly more costly than running barefoot.
Comparing different shoe types (there's several studies that could be pointed out, but this one is most frequently cited):
Int J Sports Med. 1983 Nov;4(4):247-51.
Related Articles, Links
Effects of shoe cushioning upon ground reaction forces in running.
Clarke TE, Frederick EC, Cooper LB.
To determine the effects of widely varying amounts of cushioning upon vertical force (VF) parameters, ten male subjects, (mean weight = 68.0 kg) ran at a speed of 4.5 m . s-1 (6 min/mile pace) and contacted a Kistler force platform. Two shoes were tested: a hard one and a softer shoe that had 50% more cushioning as measured by an instrumented impact tester. Five right footfalls were collected for each shoe on each subject during which the ground reaction forces were sampled at 500 HZ using a PDP 11/34 minicomputer. Eight parameters from the VF data obtained for each trial were selected for analysis and compared statistically using a paired difference t test. It was found [force magnitudes expressed in multiples of body weight (BW)] that the time to the vertical force impact peak (VFIP) was significantly longer (hard = 22.5 ms, soft = 26.6 ms) in the soft shoe; however, no differences were seen in the magnitudes (hard = 2.30 BW, soft = 2.34 BW). The minimum after the VFIP was also significantly delayed in the soft shoe (hard = 33.8 ms, soft = 37.9 ms) and was significantly greater in the soft shoe (hard = 1.46 BW, soft = 1.90 BW). The peak VF propulsive force occurred statistically at the same time in both shoes (hard = 85.7 ms, soft = 84.0 ms), but was significantly greater in the soft shoe (hard = 2.73 BW, soft = 2.83 BW).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Regarding lifelong footwear, the longterm effects are quite evident:
"I discovered that the bones of the little toes of humans from that time frame were much less strongly built than those of their ancestors while their leg bones remained large and strong," Trinkaus said. "The most logical cause would be the introduction of supportive footwear."
During barefoot walking, the smaller toes flex for traction, keeping the toe bones strong. Supportive footwear lessens the roll of the little toes, thus weakening them.
http://news-info.wustl.edu/news/page/normal/5584.htmlAnatomical evidence for the antiquity of human footwear use
Journal of Archaeological Science, Volume 32, Issue 10, October 2005, Pages 1515-1526
Erik Trinkaus
Here's some other non peer-reviewed articles on the topic (with citations you could look for on PubMed.... some of the links may or may not work):
http://www.coolrunning.com.au/general/1997e003.shtmlhttp://ww2.mcgill.ca/uro/Rep/r3111/robbins.htmlhttp://reporter-archive.mcgill.ca/Rep/r3111/robbins.htmlhttp://www.triathletes-uk.org/info/running.htmlhttp://www.pponline.co.uk/encyc/0636.htmhttp://www.barefooters.org/key-works/case_for/3.health.htmlhttp://www.geocities.com/jsgilbody/Gordon_book_040104.pdfIn addition to the above:
Lore of Running, 3rd edition (pg. 497):
"The softness of the midsole has no marked effect on landing forces during running (T.E. Clarke et al,1983b; Frederick,1986; Nigg et al., 1987). It seems that runners alter their gaits and muscle activation patterns (Komi et al., 1987) when running in harder shoes or when running barefoot. Thus, the degree of pronation is reduced when one runs barefoot (Frederick, 1986; L.S. Smith et al., 1986), a reduction due to changes in running patterns...."
"One problem with cushioning properties of the shoe is that the tendons and ligaments of the foot are designed to absorb shock when one runs barefoot (R.M. Alexander, 1987). Furthermore, these structures in the foot act act as highly efficient springs, converting as much as 93% of the energy they absorb on landing into elastic recoil at toe-off. Compared to these structures, the midsoles and outer soles of running shoes are relatively inefficient, because they convert only 40 to 50% of this energy back into elastic recoil (Alexander, 1987; Alexander & Bennett, 1989); the remainder of the energy heats up in the midsole."
but is there any evidence that barefoot running can prevent stress fractures?
When you consider from the above that vertical force and the degree of pronation is reduced while barefoot, with both of these factors contributing to the incidence of a metatarsal stress fracture, the answer is 'yes'. In addition, while barefoot, you land more flat footed, distributing the force over a greater surface area. As mentioned in the first link 9http://www.sportsci.org/jour/0103/mw.htm), the incidence of injuries, and particularly chronic injuries, are less in unshod populations.
The last link (http://news-info.wustl.edu/news/page/normal/5584.html) illustrates the principle "use it or lose it", which is true with both muscle and bone. Thus, if you are using the muscles and bones in your feet to a greater degree, they will adapt to become stronger. Use them less, such as while shod, and they become weak.
Just a general message, not particularly in response to one. One of the problems with much of the research on running is that it is done on a treadmill, and so far we do not hold any major competitions on treadmills. Running barefooted on a treadmill is quite different from running on grass or a smooth artificial track. I have tested runners in shoes of various weight, mid-sole material and configuration (on a treadmill) and found barefoot to be more costly, as were the lightest shoes tested, but that does not say that barefooted on something other than a nylon belt traveling over a steel plate would not be even better. I assume shoes are made to deal with typical reality -- road and hard track surfaces -- but maybe the right track surface would be even more ideal for barefoot running, than would be running in shoes. I have never gotten injured runing barefooted, but admit I never went over 5 miles on concrete barefooted.
spokompton wrote:
I post this a lot on many threads but the Asics Tai Chi is the best shoe for those seeking a bare foot feel. I love them and log all of my miles in them.
They essentially consist of soft leather with a thin rubber sole, no overlays, no cushioning, very much like the training shoes of the 1960's.
Cool - I run in H Streets now, but my last pair doesn't have much life left in it....I'll try the Tai Chi -
jtupper, I think I had mentioned this before on one of your threads.... when I first started training in the Puma H Streets, my mechanics were horrendous! My feet slapped the concrete, and I only got 250 miles out of that first pair due to excessive wear to the midsole/sole. With each subsequent pair, my mechanics became much better (~better control, lighter step), and I could get more and more miles out of them to the point where I now get 1000-1500 miles per pair. I train and race in the same shoes. In my first marathon last spring, I didn't have much leg soreness and recovered very quickly, which I believe was due to being adapted to what I race in.
Anyways, I would think that at first, someone's mechanics may not be so economical due to the difference in proprioception, but if someone trained moreso in flats/barefoot they would become more economical in those conditions. I don't know if there's any research to support this, but based on what you said, it makes you wonder why more athletes don't spend a greater amount of their training in their racing shoes.
........................ wrote:
As for the stomping, well, I was good but not good enough to think I could win every race. If someone was dumb enough to run barefoot, I'd indulge them; one less person I'd have to beat. Am I a jerk and a dirty racer? Sure, but I don't care.
You are the Tanya Harding of distance running. By your logic it would be acceptable for me to whack your knees with a steel pipe before the race if you are dumb enough not to wear an armor suit to run in.
Go find another sport to tarnish.