One of the many benefits of barefoot running is it can drastically improve the nervous systems proprioception which is the awareness of joint and limb position sense and the forces acting on them and also plays a big role in balance control and foot strike intensity. This in turn can help significantly improve your running stride mechanics such as avoiding high-impact landings because when you run barefoot, a part of the body’s proprioceptive system, the impact-avoidance reflex, is more strongly activated as compared with running in thickly cushioned running shoes. Read more here about how improving proprioception via running barefoot can make you a more effective shod (shoe) runner.
Bretta Riches
"I believe the forefoot strike is the engine of endurance running..."
BSc Neurobiology; MSc Biomechanics candidate, ultra minimalist runner & founder of RunForefoot. I was a heel striker, always injured. I was inspired by the great Tirunesh Dibaba to try forefoot running. Now, I'm injury free. This is why I launched Run Forefoot, to advocate the health & performance benefits of forefoot running and to raise awareness on the dangers of heel striking, because the world needs to know.
BSc Neurobiology; MSc Biomechanics candidate, ultra minimalist runner & founder of RunForefoot. I was a heel striker, always injured. I was inspired by the great Tirunesh Dibaba to try forefoot running. Now, I'm injury free. This is why I launched Run Forefoot, to advocate the health & performance benefits of forefoot running and to raise awareness on the dangers of heel striking, because the world needs to know.
Latest posts by Bretta Riches (see all)
- Heel Strike Running Causes Slipped Discs - 25/04/2024
- How to Train Yourself to Not Heel Strike When Running - 24/04/2024
- Cushioned Running Shoes Found to Be Bad for Ankles - 23/04/2024