Should I run barefoot/minimalist shoes? What are the benefits and possible injuries of barefoot vs. shoe running? By: Michael Gregory

 Improves running gait  Strengthens leg muscles, arch support  Lessens stress on lower extremities  Mixed reviews on the internet that advocate both the benefits of running barefoot preventing injuries and running barefoot/minimalist causing injury  We are evolutionary predisposed to running barefoot. It is our natural way to run and shod is unnatural.

 Research I have collected suggests that it is not running barefoot/minimalist that is beneficial but focusing on correct running gait.  Three types of gait: 1. Rearfoot srike which is common among shod runners. Which runner land on heel first. 2. Forefoot strike common with barefoot/minimalist running promotes the foot landing on the balls of the feet first. 3. Midfoot strike which emphasis on foot landing directly flat on the ground.

 Running with a forefoot strike decreases the amount of stress compared to rearfoot strikes.  But may result on a greater strain of the Achilles tendon  Running barefoot/minimalist shoes since reduces VO2 intake while training, this greatly improved the running distance of runners.  Was it due to running barefoot or change in gait is still unknown?

 There is still mix reviews on the effects of barefoot/minimalist running vs. shod running.  The studies suggest that if you choose to run barefoot that it should be a gradual change, so to get the foot and leg muscles used to the lack of support given by a normal shoe.  I believe that the benefits of running barefoot/minimalist has more to do with gait style than actually being barefoot.