Barefoot running and hip resurfacing

[Baby Barista]

Temple University just completed a study on a phenomenon that has surged the past couple years: barefoot running. Most who run "barefoot", actually wear a minimalist shoe that sort of looks like a glove for your foot. Dr. Kendrick Whitney with Temple University was quoted as saying barefoot running, "...creates more flexibility, better balance, more agility, better toe strength. I think it's all around a good thing for feet."
 
Proponents of barefoot running point to the fact that you strike with your forefoot... allowing your feet to act like shock absorbers, reducing stress on knees, hips and low back.
 
I'm curious if any of you hippys out there who've resumed running, have tried the barefoot method?
 
An interesting aside: it seems like there are some parallels between hip resurfacing and barefoot running. Both have been dismissed by many as a fad... people say neither is proven... but many people who've undergone surgery or tried barefoot running swear by it.

[B.I.L.L.]

I can see how running on the balls of your feet would be way better than smashing your heels into the ground every step. Maybe running barefoot forces you to run this way ?  Like in you have to run that way when your barefoot because otherwise it would hurt too much ?  Seems like running on your toes in good shoes would be even better ? but you could get lazy and forget I guess, hence the "Barefoot" running, cause it forces you to stay on your toes. Makes sense to me   

[ScubaDuck]

You must take your time strengthening your feet and legs before barefoot running.  Our feet have gotten very lazy with the support of shoes.  I would highly recommend walking and spending lots of time barefoot before starting to run.  Also start on softer surfaces with short distances.

Dan

[B.I.L.L.]

If you ever see me running, you better start running too, something has gone horribly wrong.....

[Woodstock Hippy]

The thing is; you don't smash your heal into the ground on every step.  If NYC marathon is on TV for you Sunday, watch the leaders; there front foot lands on the heal and rolls onto the forefoot and pushes off with the toes.  This whole barefoot, forefoot, pose running, chai running thing seems to be the idea of non-runners who think that on every stride a distance runner is hitting the brakes with his heal.  Even watch the runners in a 400 meter track event. Once they accelerate, their front foot lands on the heal and rolls to the front.  Watch people running down a steep hill.  That's braking.  Try that for a few miles in those barefoot running socks and see how your joints feel.

My resurfacings are coming up soon and I do plan to resume running short distances once I'm fully healed. Running in a good cushioned trainer.

[curt]

Running on the balls of your feet, whether because of the shoes, or following the "lean forward" method adopted by some coaches is certainly a better shock absorber than on your heels.  Elite (i.e. NYC marathon leaders are running 5 min miles and land on their mid to forefoot.  Us 8-9 min plodders tend to land on our heels to mid foot.
Everything I've read emphasized that you MUST strengthen your calves ALOT to do this running without getting injured.  Also, the achilles, hams etc. get a much greater workout and must be flexible and stretched.  I may try to concentrate on running that way until someone laughs at me then NO MORE!!  For a while, my running will probably look more like walking anyway!  Curt

[triathlete98]

Barefoot running isn't about running on the "ball" of your foot, but rather landing more of a midfoot strike vs. a heel stike.  Its like when you see the Road Runner in the cartoons.  The foot strike is beneth the body instead of out infront, the muscle become more of the shock absorber, as well as returning that stored energy for propulsion.  "toe runners" or people who try to run on the balls of their feet will soon find that their calves will not be able to handle that much stress. So instead of landing on the ball of your foot, land more flat footed with most of the weight being forward of the arch.  OR at least thats how i've witnessed and read about barefoot/forefoot running.

[hernanu]

If you ever see me running, you better start running too, something has gone horribly wrong.....

B.I.L.L... you owe me a coffee... Part of it came out my nostrils...  :o

[Woodstock Hippy]

This is starting to look too much like Slowtwitch ;)

[Luanna]

OUCH!!!! I saw a guy running on a main highway barefoot and I thought maybe he'd lost his marbles. Rocks, debris, etc. He didn't have a pained expression on his face though..but I kept thinking what if he steps on ..... very distracting to my driving.  :)

[triathlete98]

This is starting to look too much like Slowtwitch ;)
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Slow twitch rules!

[Tin Soldier]

I ran a bit like that before I had my first surgery, not with the cool toe shoes, and not barefoot, but striking on the ball of the foot and having a bouncy stride.  It was the only way I could get a cardio workout without extreme pain in the hips.  I think it softens the blow.  My bro has a pair of running sandals that he fashioned much like the tribal sandals that the barefoot running book discusses.  He runs in the snow "barefoot" and he really likes running like that, although he does not have OA and he got shin splints from running like that.  I think moderation is the name of the game. 

So think about the time before shoes (BS), I don't think I'd be landing too hard on my heels.  Why do kids run on the balls of their feet when they run across the gravel barefoot?  I think there is less impact with barefoot running and the human body actually evolved to run that way, so it seems like it would be a good thing to preserve joints, as long as the muscles and tendons don't get too overworked. 

However, there is a reason Co was put in the alloy in the HR hip prosthesis, because it's extremely durable.

[don flash]

How about I can hardly walk fast on the treadmill!  Had a BHR 2 years ago and it always hurts in the side and toward my butt when I walk on the treadmill..doc says maybe bursitus..I doubt it..maybe muscle damage during surgery..not sure what to do next..living with it for now...

[newdog]

Read the book, Born to Run. Author's last name is McDougal, not sure of the spelling. In it you will learn why injuries to runners have skyrocketed since the introduction of the modern running shoe in 1972. I have not tried barefoot running, I haven't got back into running yet at all since my surgery. It does make sense to me.

[curt]

     Course, as most of us know, the numbers of people running have also skyrocketed since the '70s.  If you had ever watched me do a marathon with my bowed legs and big feet it would have caused laughing injuries to be sure.  I wish it was due to the shoes!  Curt

[Woodstock Hippy]

Curt, you beat me to it.  Before 1972 only the geeks in your high school and a couple of guys who wanted to go to the Olympics were running.  Now everybody and their grandmother are training for their next marathon.  This is a good thing but people are going to have injuries once they get off the couch.
If you want to see good running form, watch the Kenyans tomorrow if you can and try to run like them.

By the way, I have Born to Run on reserve at my library, so I'll read it soon.