Barefoot Running
Barefoot vs. Shod Running
By: Scott Schmitt
Table of Contents
I. Introduction…………………………………………………………….. Page 1 II. Shod Running……………………………………………………………Page 2 III. Minimalist Running……………………………………………………..Page 5 IV. Barefoot Running………………………………………………………..Page 8 V. Conclusion……………………………………………………………...Page 10
Introduction
The number of long distance running, cross country, and track and field participants has grown over the past few years. Today, millions of Americans compete in road races. Close to 29 million People participate in running annually (Smith 50). Its popularity has expanded and running has become a part of many people’s lifestyles. This ranges from the Olympic athletes to the ordinary people running just to shed a couple pounds. It is a sport for all ages and people with the widest range of athletic ability. Wearing shoes is something practically everybody assumes when they go for a jog, a workout, or a race. The modern running shoe wasn’t invented until 1970 (Lieberman 531). So what did people do when the modern running shoe wasn’t around? More and more people have been asking themselves this very question. Injuries are almost unavoidable when running. Stress fractures, pulled muscles, shin splints, the list is endless. Every runner has experienced an injury at least once. Some injuries are nagging and can ruin peoples running career. Could it possibly be that the modern day running shoe is causing injuries in many athletes today? Humans weren’t born with shoes on their feet. Running barefoot is how we were meant to run. In America, bare foot running has become less popular since we live in the concrete jungle. In third world countries, running barefoot is the norm. In Kenya, most runners are barefoot. The Kenyans have also dominated the distance events at the Olympics for decades and have kept any American distance
By: Scott Schmitt
Table of Contents
I. Introduction…………………………………………………………….. Page 1 II. Shod Running……………………………………………………………Page 2 III. Minimalist Running……………………………………………………..Page 5 IV. Barefoot Running………………………………………………………..Page 8 V. Conclusion……………………………………………………………...Page 10
Introduction
The number of long distance running, cross country, and track and field participants has grown over the past few years. Today, millions of Americans compete in road races. Close to 29 million People participate in running annually (Smith 50). Its popularity has expanded and running has become a part of many people’s lifestyles. This ranges from the Olympic athletes to the ordinary people running just to shed a couple pounds. It is a sport for all ages and people with the widest range of athletic ability. Wearing shoes is something practically everybody assumes when they go for a jog, a workout, or a race. The modern running shoe wasn’t invented until 1970 (Lieberman 531). So what did people do when the modern running shoe wasn’t around? More and more people have been asking themselves this very question. Injuries are almost unavoidable when running. Stress fractures, pulled muscles, shin splints, the list is endless. Every runner has experienced an injury at least once. Some injuries are nagging and can ruin peoples running career. Could it possibly be that the modern day running shoe is causing injuries in many athletes today? Humans weren’t born with shoes on their feet. Running barefoot is how we were meant to run. In America, bare foot running has become less popular since we live in the concrete jungle. In third world countries, running barefoot is the norm. In Kenya, most runners are barefoot. The Kenyans have also dominated the distance events at the Olympics for decades and have kept any American distance
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