  Improved Health Benefits  Drastically reduced Injuries  Superior Running Economics Why Run Barefoot?

 History Abebe Bikila 1960 Rome Olympics Commenting on why he run on bare foot, Abebe said, " I wanted the world to know that my country Ethiopia has always won with determination and heroism."

  Kalahari Desert Background Persistence Hunt

  Not invented until the 1970’s  Bill Bowerman, University of Oregon and Nike Background Modern Shoe

 Mechanics of the Foot

  26 small bones (one-quarter of the bones in the human body).  33 joints.  More than 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments.  A network of blood vessels, nerves, skin, and soft tissue. Components

  Endo-, Ecto- and Mesomorph body types  Flatfoot, High Arch, Normal Arch  Any combination will result in a natural forefoot strike  No need for correction Mechanics of the Foot Genetics

  Modern shoe allows for a heel-to-toe movement  Natural movement is a forefoot strike  “Shock Absorbency” gel Mechanics of the Foot Arch Support

  Natural rotation of the foot, hand or forearm  The foot pronates to displace force  “Motion Control” Mechanics of the Foot Pronation

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 High Speed Capture Heel Strike Impact

 High Speed Capture Mid Foot Impact

 Kenyan High Speed

 Injury

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  Heel Striking  Pronation control Injury Causes

  Plantar Fasciitis  Iliotibial band syndrome  Achilles Tendonitis  Stress Fractures  Medial tibial stress syndrome  Patellar Femoral Pain Syndrome  Osgood-Schlatter Syndrome Injury Types

  This is not a fight about barefoot vs. shoes  It’s not about what you wear on your feet  It’s about what you’re doing with your feet  Less is More Take Away Message