Barefoot running as an alternative to the use of running shoes is getting a lot of attention in the media lately as a curiosity. A lot of benefits and claims are made for barefoot running with the promotes of barefoot running make a lot of claims. There is no evidence that shows that barefoot running is any better than the use of running shoes. Those who are fanatical about barefoot running do make claims about the science behind barefoot running but none of what they claims actually showed what is claimed. There is a certain amount of religious fervour by which many go about the barefoot running.
The barefoot running community like to point out that athletes like Abebe Bikala could win an Olympic marathon barefoot (1960 in Rome), but fail to mention that he could run faster and break a world record when he started using running shoes. They also mention Zola Budd who competed in the 1500m at Olympic level barefoot, but they fail to mention that she started to get so many injuries that she had to resort to using running shoes to prevent them.
There is no evidence that barefoot running or shod running is any better than the other. There is no evidence that there is more or less injuries in those that run barefoot. There is some concern being expressed about stress fractures in barefoot runners and plantar fasciitis in barefoot runners. There is even an anti-barefoot running website!
Barefoot running drills probably does have some benefits as part of a balanced training program and many elite athlete are doing exactly that. There are barefoot running shoes which have been developed for this purpose.
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