| Barefoot running shoes have brought a whole new | | | | minimise the risk of injury by running. |
| angle on running to many people, most of whom are | | | | However, recent studies have shown that it is not |
| stuck in towns and cities and have nowhere to run | | | | having an exaggerated gait of any kind that can lead |
| but pavements and roads. Running is a fantastic way | | | | to injury, in fact it is the wearing of running shoes |
| to keep fit, but it is also a very easy way to pick up | | | | themselves that causes most common running |
| irritating injuries that require you to take time out | | | | injuries. Trainers are designed to support and control |
| from running in order for them to fully heal. | | | | your feet as you run, meaning you aren't able to run |
| There are some very common running injuries, such | | | | in a way that is natural to your body. It is this simple |
| as shin splints, Illiotibial Band syndrome (sometimes | | | | fact that leads to most runner's complaints. We are |
| called ITB syndrome), and chondromalacia | | | | naturally designed to strike the ground on the balls of |
| (sometimes called runner's knee) to name but a few. | | | | our feet, not our heels when we run, as this allows |
| These are alongside aching ankles, knees, hips and | | | | the impact to be evenly distributed throughout our |
| lower back which most runners will have experienced | | | | natural shock absorbers in our lower bodies. When |
| at some point. It is commonly thought that most | | | | you run in this manner, there is very little room for |
| running injuries are caused by wearing trainers that | | | | your foot to roll and therefore you don't experience |
| are not providing enough support, and this is why | | | | any kind of excess movement in your ankles. This is |
| running gait analysis has become so popular. Gait | | | | why barefoot running shoes are in fact the perfect |
| analysis involves being filmed while running on a | | | | running shoe, as they allow your feet to move in the |
| treadmill for a short period of time. This video | | | | exact manner they are designed to, not forcing any |
| footage is then slowed down so you can see exactly | | | | part of your foot, ankle, knee or hip to move in an |
| what your foot and ankle does when you run. The | | | | awkward manner. |
| first point of contact will be your heel, then you roll | | | | Barefoot running shoes may seem like a contradiction |
| through the length of your foot onto the ball of your | | | | in themselves, as you can't run barefoot if you are |
| foot and push off into your next stride. It is the | | | | wearing shoes. While this is true, you must remember |
| roll-through process that determines your gait and | | | | that barefoot running shoes don't offer any kind of |
| whether you have a neutral gait, or you suffer from | | | | support to your feet, or any form of correction to |
| over pronation, or supination. Over pronation is where | | | | your running style, they are simply a thin protective |
| your foot and ankle roll inwards and supination is | | | | layer to shield your feet. Most people will agree that |
| where your foot and ankle roll outwards. Too much | | | | roads and pavements are less than desirable places |
| of either of these rolls can lead to excess strain | | | | to be running on in barefeet, who knows what you |
| being placed on various joints in your lower body, | | | | might stand on or in, so a pair of barefoot running |
| which in turn can lead to injury. By choosing from a | | | | shoes just give you that peace of mind that allows |
| specific range of trainers designed to correct your | | | | you to truly enjoy your run. |
| over pronation or supination, you will be able to | | | | |