This is still dribblehumiliation just my account screwed up dunno why. Anyway doesn't anyone know? Is doing plometrics and sprint related drills in soft sand or on grass bad?

The foot is designed to work while barefoot and shoes on. The problem with trainers are that they increase cushioning and breaking forces or try to reduce over pronation etc. These problems occurred due to wearing shoes.

I dont know what the consequences would be training barefoot after so long of wearing shoes. YOu may find you have problems with joints/muscles as the feet are not used to barefoot training and may take a ling time to adjust - if ever

Start out slow if your going to train barefoot. Don't do a whole bunch of sprints or run for a long distance. When the weather warms up where I'm at I try to do one or two barefoot workouts a week. You will feel a huge difference in your calf and Achilles Tendon area. I find that it helps my running in the long term. I usually run on grass because I don't have sand around me.

Mike

Ok thanks for the comments. About 2 months ago i was doing around plyometric/shuttle run based session per week barefoot in the sand. I will defo ease back into it when i eventually strat conditioning work again.

:wink: Unfortunately, broken glass, sharp wire and a whole host of things can cut your feet. The only sport I would recommend to you to train for with bare feet is swimming. Even sea shells can cut your feet.

I doubt that you could measure the difference in times between training in bare feet and training shoes.

Also, if you are training for an event to be competed during the day, the ground (whether tar seal, sand or whatever) can heat up. Try running on very hot tar seal.

Just a thought.

Cheers :D

Well there are no shells really on my beaches, and if there are only in certain areas. Also we have acerage and cleared fields so no glass etc there :lol: ! Thanks for the comments though. Im not really sure what you meant by running on hot tar before competition? :?:

:oops: Hi there. You asked about running on Tar without understanding what tar is? Am I correct?

Tar seal is a by-product of fossal fuels such as petrol. Between 11.00am and 4.00pm during the summer days, people walking dogs are advised to check the temperature of the foot path (sidewalk) by feeling the tar seal with their hands. If the tar seal is hot-that is exactly what it will feel like to a dog. Hot tar seal burns a dog's foot pad.

I hope that answer's your question.

Cheers :lol:

Not that I am an advocate of promoting products, but NIKE has developed a shoe called the Nike Free. Its supposed to allow your foot to work as if you were barefoot, but still provide cushion. Am waiting on my pair to begin training in. So can't tell you wether I believe their statements.

Isn't running barefoot ment to reduce cushioning - ie you dont want the cushioning from a shoe as it absorbs energy rather than utilising it?

I have heard good and bad about the Nike Free. The good is that yes it does feel like your running barefoot and it does strengthen your foot. The bad is that those people with some foot issues cannot train in it for any length of time because their foot begins to hurt.
I run barefoot exclusively on grass and the bend in your knee when you strike the ground with your foot is the cushioning. If your talking about running barefoot on pavement you can still experience some cushioning by not slapping your foot down. Pretend your walking over hot coals while running on the pavement and you would be fine. I don't recommend it because of the broken glass, small rocks and other debris. But I do just fine running on grass. I can run everyday without any pain.

Mike

Thanks for the links!

Vibram Five Fingers shoes are a great shoe for exercise and sport that are designed to be as barefoot as possible to help strenghten the feet but still offer some protection for the feet.

Have a look at:-
http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/

You can get them in the UK at:-
http://http://shop.primallifestyle.com

Enter gfr246min5 at the google checkout and get a £5 discount