Training Barefoot - Why All The Fuss?

What Is Barefoot Training?

Barefoot training?has become?increasingly popular in the fitness community.? Like it sounds, barefoot training is simply that; training without shoes.? If you haven't heard of Vibrams, than you must not be?that interested in barefoot training.? The Vibram shoe?is designed?to simulate a barefoot running experience, while at the same time protecting you from the little dangers of the road, like stones, nails and gum I guess.? These quasi shoes basically fit your foot like a glove would fit your hand, equipped with toe grooves and all.?? The sales of this product have been hot this past year, and?won't be slowing anytime soon.?

What Are The Advantages Of Barefoot Training?

New research has shown that barefoot populations have a lower incidence of leg injury, and studies have estimated that with the average shoe you are losing 4% of energy transferred compared to?running barefoot.[1)While it is not commonplace for competitive athletes to race without shoes, you may see this happen in the near future.? Obviously there are some reservations to do so, as running barefoot does pose some risk, like puncture wounds and over training inflammation.? But how can the average person use barefoot training to their advantage.

Do you ever?wonder why yoga and many martial arts are practiced?barefoot?? In martial arts and yoga balance is extremely important.? To generate the force and velocity for some of the kicks required in mauy thai, or?taekwondo?you need to have great ankle and lower leg stability.? So, why go barefoot? The easy answer is increased proprioception (knowing where your body or body parts are in space, essentially "feel").? This is the key to increasing stability and precision of movement in any body part.? When you walk or run with shoes, your brain has to calculate not only where your foot is in space, but also where your foot is within your shoes, which is difficult to do, and according to research increases your chance of injury.?

Imagine trying to tie your shoes laces with thick winter gloves on.? If you have done this before you probably know what I mean.? It is much more simple to accomplish when your bare hands can touch the lace.? Taking the gloves off?improves sensory perception and creates more dialogue between the brain and your fingers which increases the spatial awareness of your fingers and improves your proprioception.? The same effects can occur when you train barefoot.

Incorporating barefoot training into your exercise program will be fun, challenging and rewarding.? Just use common sense when training barefoot for the first time!?

[1] Warburton, Michael Barefoot Running Sportscience 5(3), sportsci.org/jour/0103/mw.htm, 2001

Jordan Figueiredo is a physical education teacher in Ontario, Canada and is a dedicated husband, and coach. Jordan has recently lost 40lbs after years of struggling to maintain a healthy weight. While teaching and coaching consume most of his time, he has created thehealthyteacher.com to share his weight loss journey and explore important ideas for people interested in creating their best body, while still maintaining a balanced life.

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