Bare Feet, Gyms, and Treadmills

The Wall Street Journal has an article out of how many (most?) gyms get pretty upset if you try to use them barefooted. It is the usual frustrating read.

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A Toe-Shoe Stew

There have been other reactions to the Foot Bone Marrow Edema after 10-week Transition to Minimalist Running Shoes study that I wrote about in Vibram Transitioning → Bone Injury.

Let’s see what they had to say.

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DeFalco v. Vibram

Yesterday I blogged about the current state of the Bezdek v. Vibram lawsuit, and posted a copy of the order allowing the suit to proceed. If you read that whole order (you did read the whole order, right?) you might have noticed that there is yet another lawsuit against Vibram.

Again, it’s a class action lawsuit for fraud.

Let me say a few words about this newer lawsuit, DeFalco v. Vibram.

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Lawsuit Against Vibram Survives Motion to Dismiss

We’ve been following the lawsuits against Vibrams for making unsubstantiated claims (including claims about the benefits of barefoot running). There was a pending motion to dismiss before the court, and that motion was denied on Wednesday.

So, here’s what’s going on.

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How Barefoot Running Works

I’d like to highlight an interesting video. It is of Lee Saxby of the Vivobarefoot Training Center at the Barefoot Connections Conference.

What I found fascinating about the video is its explanations of the kinetics and the kinematics of running. As Lee explains it, “kinetics” studies the forces involved while “kinematics” studies how we shape our bodies as we move.

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Cargo Cult Barefooting

Can’t get enough earthing? But are you so addicted to the whole idea of shoes that you want to get your daily dose of quackery even when shod?

Well then, Earthrunners are just right for you.

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What You Kneed

I’ve heard story after story of shod runners who had to stop because of their knees. Then, after switching to barefoot running, they are able to take it up again, because barefoot running really doesn’t allow the kind of heel strike that thuds up to the knees that you can only get from heeled, padded shoes.

So, what do you do with that already damaged cartilage?

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Catalyst

ABC TV in Australia has a very good segment on science called Catalyst. They recently did a segment comparing barefoot and shod running, and did an excellent job showing the science and highlighting the differences.

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Vibrams Sued

Last month Vibrams was sued over its Five Finger Toe Shoes. The basic complaint is that Vibrams has been making false claims about the benefits of running in their minimalist shoes.

I have obtained a copy of the official complaint.

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Another Historical Barefoot Runner — Marcus Clarke

Yesterday I introduced you to a barefoot runner of the 1960s, Bruce Tulloh. While researching that, I happened upon another one, from the 1970s.

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Colorful Characters — Bruce Tulloh

Most barefooters are aware of Abebe Bikila, who won the 1960 Olympic marathon running barefoot. The shoe sponsor had run out of shoes that fit, so Abebe ran barefoot, the way he had trained.

But there was another barefoot runner at the time.

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Adidas Sued Over Their Toe-Shoes

Last Friday Adidas was sued over their adiPURE Trainers, which are toe-shoes (I refuse to call them “barefoot” running shoes). Unlike the suit that Vibram’s filed against Fila for patent infringement, this lawsuit against Adidas is for injuries the Plaintiff received wearing the shoes.

I think those of us in the barefooting community are all pretty much aware that suddenly switching to toe-shoes carries the risk of stress fractures.

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Followup to Barefoot Running Efficiency Study

I got asked a number of questions about my previous look at the Running Shod More Efficient study, so I thought I’d answer them here.

I also took another look at the study itself, and managed to ask myself a question that I sure couldn’t answer.

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Running Shod More Efficient

There’s been quite a bit of talk lately about a new study that came out early in the month, Metabolic Cost of Running Barefoot versus Shod: Is Lighter Better?, by Jason R. Franz, Corbyn M. Wierzbinski, and Rodger Kram. You can see one of the stories at Barefoot Running Less Efficient.

I’ve taken a bit of a look at the study.

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Ken Bob Video

If you haven’t seen it yet, Ken Bob Saxton, of Barefoot Running, Step by Step has a new video out.

It’s called “Introduction to Barefoot Running 001: Moving Forward”.

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