United Kingdom
Barefoot running expert Lee Saxby took some time out for VIVOBAREFOOT to answer some questions about the latest research to shed some evidence on the benefits of barefoot running.VB: Briefly, what does Daniel Lieberman’s research show?
LS: The paper entitled ‘Foot Strike and Injury Rates in Endurance Runners’ studied athletes in the Harvard cross country running team between August 2006 – January 2011 and found that the runners in the team who have a habitual heel-strike running technique had twice as many repetitive stress injuries than the runners in the team who have a habitual forefoot-strike running technique.
The other paper released by Dan and his team entitled ‘Effects of Footwear and Strike Type on Running Economy’ shows that wearing ‘minimalist’ running shoes improves running efficiency regardless of running technique.
VB: The research mentions forefoot and rear foot strike, how does this relate to barefoot running?
LS: One of the fundamental characteristic of skillful barefoot running is a forefoot-strike running technique. Heel-striking when running barefoot on hard surfaces is un-natural and very painful!
VB: Runners, both forefoot and rear foot strikers, are still getting injured. What can we do about this?
LS: The most important point is to realise that running is a skill and that a majority of chronic/repetitive injuries are due to lack of skill (the rest are due to over-training/lack of recovery). Therefore, becoming a skillful runner is the foundation of injury-free running.
VB: So, technique is really important, not just footstike. Where would someone new to barefoot running begin?
LS: The theory behind barefoot running technique is very simple; forefoot-strike, upright posture and a higher cadence/shorter stride length but like all other sports skills the application of the theory takes time, discipline and practise and is often a painful experience! I have created a free ebook that explains the fundamentals of barefoot technique but I highly recommend attending a running clinic or a coaching session with one of my certified coaches to accelerate your learning curve and avoid some of the most common and painful errors.
VB: How does this research relate to VIVOBAREFOOT?
LS: This research justifies the existence and mission of the brand. There is now solid, scientific evidence to back up the core messaging of the company; that skillful barefoot running technique is the solution to the epidemic of chronic running injuries and that a light/minimal shoe can improve running performance. VIVOBAREFOOT is leading the evolution!
If you have more questions you would like to ask Lee Saxby, please comment below.
Christoph
Need your possible dates for german running clinics lets rock
Comment by Christoph — January 12, 2012 @ 5:42 pm
Tony
Where can I find this?
free ebook that explains the fundamentals of barefoot technique
Comment by Tony — January 13, 2012 @ 6:29 am
Barefoot Tyger
I took up running again last year at age 60 in a new pair of ASICS 17. I was plagued with minor but painful injuries all year. I blamed my shoes because, as a young man in cheap thin soled shoes i had no injuries. But last November I discovered the ‘barefoot’ concept and researched voraciously. Using Lee Saxby’s techniques I managed to run injury free – in the same shoes! Which suggests that skill comes first. However I have just been for a 10k run in my new pair of Vivobarefoot Evo II shoes and it’s different again. The lightness, gentle ankle support, and proprioceptive sole means that you have to be even more conscious of your feet / whole body posture / movement. I guess this will all become second nature with practice – but there’s no going back now!
Comment by Barefoot Tyger — January 13, 2012 @ 12:18 pm
Rob Leadley
Hi Lee,
Interesting stuff.
I have been advocating the use of barefoot shoes to my students to promote strengthening of the feet. A lot of them have gone ahead and invested in a pair. The feedback has been very good for walking . However, when it comes to running we all experience problems with the calf muscle., does this indicate that the running style is at fault or is it a normal reaction?
Many thanks.
Comment by Rob Leadley — January 13, 2012 @ 12:23 pm
Jamie at VIVOBAREFOOT
Hi Tony,
You can download Lee Saxby’s free eBook – Proprioception A step by step guide
Comment by Jamie at VIVOBAREFOOT — January 14, 2012 @ 4:25 pm