Saturday, November 24, 2012

Barefoot Running Shoes: The Latest Innovation In Sports Apparel

By Galahad Clark


Research done indicates that barefoot running shoes are ideal for purposes of strengthening muscles. Many athletes are now embracing this form of minimalist running. Manufactures have also responded to the demand and you can now find a variety of these types of footwear in many stores.

Some of the most common leg injuries include: chondromalacia, shin splints and iliotibial Band syndrome. Alongside these, one can also get aching ankles, pain on the hips and the lower back. Most of these ailments can largely be attributed to foot ware. Most runners put on trainers that do not offer maximum support. This is the whole idea behind gait analysis, which is becoming so popular nowadays.

Heeled ones also weaken muscles making the runner susceptible to sprains and other leg related injuries. On the other hand, the bare ones enhance the development of the legs. It also reduces the chances of getting hurt while exercising. Using this type of footwear helps to regulate and balance temperatures in the body.

The main logic behind barefoot footwear is that, the foot is worked up and this helps to strengthen the feet and leg muscles. This also helps an individual to run with enhanced form. When buying a minimalist shoe, ensure that it is easy to bend to increase ease of movement. The height between the toe and the heel is what determines the degree of minimalism in any foot ware.

This further emphasizes the need of using minimalist and flat foot ware. They are in fact the most ideal footwear as they allow equal and even pressure on the entire foot. Parts like the knee, hip, ankle and feet are not forced to move in an awkward manner which would create pain.

When buying these types of footwear it is advisable to go for fitting ones. The loose ones may cause tendonitis or blisters on the heel. Again, very flexible ones can cause pain on the heel; the midsole should be firm enough to offer stability. This can be tested by folding it in half; if it folds easily it will not provide maximum support.

There is a lot of supporting evidence that indicates that less energy is used with barefoot running shoes. Whenever you go shopping for jogging or exercising shoes ensure that they have all the above stated qualities.




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