In the 1980s, a young track and field athlete from South Africa called Zola Budd became famous for her habit of running barefoot whenever she was competing. Labeled as an eccentric, Zola caused quite a stir whenever she appeared on the race track. However, 20 years on, American scientists now think that running without any footwear could be better for your legs than running in trainers or other specialist running shoes.
Scientists point out that running in trainers encourages what they call "heavy heel striking". Heel striking is the force the heel creates when it hits the ground when walking or running. Modern running shoes have specially designed cushioned heels that encourage runners to land on the back of their feet. This increases the force with which the heel hits the ground. A typical runner in trainers today pounds the ground heavily at a rate of 1,000 heel strikes-per-mile.
By contrast, when running barefoot, people instinctively avoid a heavy heel strike because this can quickly become painful and uncomfortable. Barefoot runners point their toes more as they land on the ground to carry their weight forward rather than back on the heel. This gives barefoot runners a more 'springy' stride than those running in shoes.
The new evidence in support of running barefoot comes as a surprise to many people. Until recently, most people thought running barefoot was dangerous and potentially harmful. In reality, runners can run barefoot on some of the world's hardest surfaces without the slightest discomfort or pain. Indeed, scientists say that the distinctive arch of the human foot shows that human beings are built for long-distance running. As hunters chasing their prey, humans have engaged in barefoot endurance running for millions of years. The modern running shoe, however, was only invented in the 1970s!
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