Footwear constricts our feet. The rise in popularity of barefoot activity in the UK is undeniable. Health experts and habitual barefooters generally have stronger feet, better flexibility and fewer ailments. Going along with nature, baring your sole, walking your socks off, are commonly used phrases by advocates and enthusiasts who cannot get enough of the sensory delight the experience offers.
World history and context offers a background. In China, reflexology paths paved with stones have been used for thousands of years to enhance physical and mental well-being.
Bavarian monks in the 19th century believed that wading barefoot through wet grass or shallow water stimulated internal organs, strengthening the immune system, and helped the body to heal itself. Today, variations of this `Kneipp` therapy are practised in spas worldwide. In the late 1960s, hippies shunned footwear, forcing authorities to introduce policies against bare feet, causing the practice to become out of style.
Today there is a massive resurgence. In 2000, John Woodward, an Alexander technique teacher, launched barefoot running courses in the Lake District. 2006 saw the UKs first outdoor barfuss (german for barefoot) trial open in Nottingham, followed by another in greenwood forest park in Gywnedd in 2009. Many intellectualise about the increased popularity, or illustrate the health benefits; others claim that the experience is for fun!
The growing catalogue of scientific reference and support for barefoot running and activity, is impressive. Daniel E Lieberman, professor of human evolutionary biology at Harvard, has conducted his own research, and concludes that people who don’t wear shoes when they run have an astonishingly different foot strike. Barefoot runners who land on the middle or front of the foot, experience very little impact collision, and much less than most shod runners generate when they heel strike. Runners and walkers alike, will say that heel striking is painful, and can be damaging unless rectified. It could be argued therefore, that barefoot running can lead to a reduction in repetitive stress injuries.
Ted McDonald, featured in McDougall`s ‘Born to Run’ book, cites barefoot running as the only solution he could find to unbearable lower back pain. It is also relevant and interesting to see that he became the only barefoot runner in the copper canyon Mexican ultra marathon.
Barefoot running is still quite rare in elite competitive situations. Previous exponents, such as Abebe Bikila; Rome Olympic marathon champion in 1960, Tegla Laroupe, and Zola Budd regularly competed unshod. For lesser athletes and those going barefoot for fun, a gradual approach is likely to reap most reward! Walking barefoot, then starting to run on grass and or concrete, strengthening the feet skin, and increasing time and distance will allow that sensory delight to develop!
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