The world of running has evolved significantly over the years. We have witnessed athletes shatter records that once seemed unbreakable, largely due to their dedication to finding the right footwear and honing their form and technique to excel in the sport.
This raises the question of whether being a barefoot runner changes your likelihood of winning. In reality, it doesn’t matter if you run barefoot or not.
Contrary to popular belief, barefoot running is not running without shoes. Instead, barefoot runners wear lightly-padded shoes that don’t have any cushion—think of weightlifting shoes or moccasins, for example. These shoes have no arch support or any other structures that would force the foot into unnatural positions.
The people who are most comfortable while barefoot running are those known as forefoot strikers. While running, forefoot strikers put their weight on the ball of the foot, rather than a heel-to-toe motion. Alternatively, rear-foot strikers make first contact with the ground via the heel.
Now, does being a barefoot runner give you an edge on the competition or even help at all? Sport and Spinal Physiotherapy gives us some insight into myths about forefoot running and heel striking.
One statement the organization says is false is that a forefoot strike is faster than a heel strike. While you often want to get on your toes to sprint, there is no evidence that forefoot running is faster overall.
The main thing to note with barefoot running: Most rear-foot runners will be more comfortable in padded shoes than in minimal ones.
All in all, barefoot running won’t necessarily give you an edge on the competition, but if you tend to run on the front of your foot, you might want to give it a try.
Lexie Yates can be reached at arg-opinion@uidaho.edu.