Barefoot running is getting more media attention and is allegedly a popular alternative way go running not using the traditional expensive running shoes. We were originally created to run without shoes on soft ground in order to stay alive, to search and hunt for food as well as move around in search for food. Snce that time, for better or worse, asphalt or concrete got created and came teh need to protect our bodies from those unforgiving surfaces. The long term effect of these impacts on the body long term have not been researched. The number of people int he barefoot running community is claimed to be growing, but so is the anti barefoot running movement responding to the claims being made for it.
Those who like to run without trainers and tout it, do make a lot of claims about the benefits of running barefoot. These promotors claim that the barefoot running is a lot more efficient. They suggest that there are less overuse injuries in those that do run without running footwear. There is no research data from the medical research literature to support these claims running without running shoes is any better than not running with them. Those who promote barefoot running like point to a lot of what they claim is evidence, but it does not stand up to analysis when looked at critically. The barefoot running community and discussions about it, is largely dominated by many who behave in a cult like way and are very passionate about barefoot running. To discuss with them the issues is like trying to have a religious argument with someone. With these types of discussion or arguments will generally have no winners. Barefoot runners have been called zealots becasue of this approach, but they are defensive and do not see it that way.
All this debating and discussion of the pros and cons, does not actually mean that barefoot running does not have any benefits. It is highly likely that running barefoot could be used by almost all of those who run who can tolerate it and as small part of a balanced fitness routine
The reaction of the barefoot running community to things that are negative about barefoot running can be interesting and confirms their cult like behaviour. There are lots of debates about barefoot running.
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