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Nobody advocates running barefoot on asphalt. And yes, running can wear out your joints, but even if you wear running shoes.
by jd 15y ago
Nobody advocates running barefoot on asphalt. And yes, running can wear out your joints, but even if you wear running shoes.
- patricklynch 15y ago"Nobody advocates running barefoot on asphalt." Here's a Harvard professor who advocates running barefoot on asphalt: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=7jrnj-7YKZE#t=329s http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v...
- tomelders 15y agoThey will certainly wear out faster without shoes, no matter what you're running on. Evolution is somewhat limited in what it can do. It must build upon things that are already there, over very long periods of time through subtle genetic mutations. Just because evolution didn't grace us with air cushioned soles and decent bridge and ankle support doesn't mean it's no good for us. Evolution had a lot less to play with and did the best it could. Humans made it better. I do find it odd that some people like to look back at the way humans did stuff in the past and somehow arrive at the conclusion that it's better for us. They invariably neglect to take into account the pitifully short lifespans our ancestors had. We also lived in caves, but I don't see many people eager to do that these days. And then there's stuff like the Palaeolithic diet which is absolute nonsense that ranks up there with Hal-Al and Kosher butchering. That became a rant... I had no idea it bothered me so much.
- Game_Ender 15y agoThis at least has some evidence. The guy pushing barefoot running has done some a study showing you put less stress on your joints when running barefoot then with shoes. I believe it had something to do with running with a better stride then when in padded shoes because your feet now have more feedback information. Just found his website here: http://barefootrunning.fas.harvard.edu/ http://barefootrunning.fas.harvard.edu/
- scott_s 15y agoMy understanding of the mechanics are simple: when you heel-strike, your heel hits the pavement hard, and the shock is absorbed by your knee. When you toe-strike, your ankle can act as a spring and absorb the impact over a greater period of time, meaning your joints experience less force. I think it's the toe-strike versus heel-strike is what's important. Running shoes just encourage heel-striking.
- ta12121 15y agoActually, there have been studies that show that the more expensive your running shoe, the more likely you are to get injured. People think they need running shoes because they run incorrectly. You are not supposed to land on your heel. This is something you can only do with super padded running shoes.
- eru 15y ago> They will certainly wear out faster without shoes, no matter what you're running on. Why should your body `wear out' from activity? Are humans some kind of clumsy machine that wears out from friction?
- scott_s 15y agoWell, yeah. Our joints are mechanical. (Note that I am agreeing with the notion that our bodies wear out, as do all machines. I am not endorsing the parent post's claims about shoes being better for running.)
- mythobit 15y agoNo, running doesn't ruin your knees. Rather than rewrite the wheel RW Daily does a fine job including links to research. http://rwdaily.runnersworld.com/2012/02/no-running-does-not-ruin-your-knees.html http://rwdaily.runnersworld.com/2012/02/no-running-does-not-...