A key difference between walking and proper (mid- and forefoot) running is how the foot muscles work, and, in particular, the energy used for propulsion. The walking body acts more like an inverted pendulum, swinging along step-by-step, literally vaulting over stiff legs with locked knees. Muscles use the body’s metabolic energy created by conversion of…
Category: Footwear Explained
VivoBarefoot: All About Proprioception (the “Sixth Sense'”)
Free downloadable eBook from VIVOBarefoot and written by world-renowned U.K. barefoot running coach Lee Saxby.With forewords from Christopher McDougall, author of Born to Run and Harvard University’s “Barefoot Professor” Daniel Lieberman. The eBook delivers step-by-step guide to reducing injury and reawakening the innate skill of running, and demystifies proprioception, the secret to optimum performance. Topics covered: 1. We Have Forgotten…
Pronation and Supination
During walking and running, pronation and supination normally occur in the foot. Pronation is important for optimal movement and shock absorption. During foot strike, many changes take place—the foot begins to roll inward, everting slightly, and the arch flattens. This is called pronation. It is a normal action—one that occurs in every step in every…
Inov-8’s Approach to Injury-Free Minimalist Footwear
Inov-8, a favorite footwear among billy-goating trail runners, was born on the other side of the pond. This British company recently published a detailed info page on its website summarizing some of the ongoing research concerning barefoot and minimalist running. Another smart innovative touch is its decision to come out with a “transition booklet” to help…
What is Minimalist?
It’s to be expected that with any new footwear trend, a lack of consensus among manufacturers can often muddy the waters for runners. Minimalist shoes are a prime example of this happening. Nothing is to stop a company from marketing a shoe as minimalist, when in fact, it might appear anything but when compared to…
What is Zero Drop?
Zero Drop refers to the height differential between the shoe heel and toe area. Most conventional running shoes have an average drop of 12 mm, which places too much impact and stress on the heel region– and we know what happens next and it’s not good for runners. The runner’s cushioned heel strikes the ground…
How Running Shoes Get Tested in Footwear Labs
This photo of a honking-big New Balance sneaker (taken from a 2009 issue of Popular Mechanics) shows how most of the major shoe companies test the exaggerated heel-cushioning of their conventional running shoes. No wonder many millions of runners unnaturally became accustomed to heel-striking. One could safely bet that the mechanical piston never experiences shin…
Conversation: One Runner Enlightens Another Runner
James works at Two Rivers Treads in Sheperdstown, West Virginia, which is also the headquarters and flagship store of the Natural Running Center. He recently published on the store blog a rather lengthy, and highly informative email exchange he had with another runner who was seeking his advice, Their online back-and-forth is reposted here. The…
Proprioception
Proprioception is defined as the perception or sensing of your limbs in space (orientation) during movement of the body. Specifically in running, proprioception allows your mind to learn, with each step, from the effect of each movement and then adjust your limbs accordingly for future movements. Proprioception comes from the Latin word proprius, meaning “one’s…