Peluva athlete Brad Kearns explains in detail how your favorite elevated, cushioned shoes are likely compromising good technique and increasing your risk of injury! Cushioned shoes not only increase impact forces and micro-trauma to muscles, joints, and connective tissue, they also hamper the ability to harness rotational kinetic energy on each stride. Instead, 10 percent of impact force is absorbed into the shoe, and another huge chunk of potential energy is absorbed inappropriately into the extremities instead of harnessed for takeoff propulsion. In contrast, when you land barefoot or in minimalist shoes, the toes, arch, Achilles tendon, and calf muscles absorb impact gracefully, and then coil like a spring to harness “rotational kinetic energy” for takeoff.
Yes, we need to run in shoes for protection, but it’s essential to learn a correct midfoot landing, and also strive toward a more barefoot-inspired lifestyle. This means going barefoot in the home and other safe areas, wearing Peluvas for extensive walking and everyday life endeavors, and perhaps trying to integrate more minimalist style running shoes for a portion of your weekly mileage. Over time, you can progress safely and steadily to improve foot functionality and become less reliant upon heavily cushioned shoes.
14 окт 2024
