shoes sizes european to american
Barefoot Running by Dr. Jennifer Feeny
Shoes have been around for a very long time, longer than most people realize. Some anthropologists believe that the first shoes (that where more like sandals) where invented around 40,000 B.C. These anthropologists noted substantially different toe bone sizes between different generations. The older generations had very big bones; the kind that are associated with a lot of hard work. Then fairly suddenly, the toe bone size got a lot smaller. A very possible explanation to this change is the invention of shoes.
Shoes had an open toed sandal design until about 1600-1200 B.C. when people in colder weather covered their toes creating the first closed toe shoe which where similar to moccasins. Ancient Egyptians where the first civilization to curl up the toe on sandals and make them more decorative. They did this so the Pharos’s would be able to adorn their feet like the rest of their body. This created the first need for shoemakers as a profession. Ancient Greeks are given credit to designing the first boots for their soldiers to wear. Shoes where not particularly sturdy until about the Middle Ages, when due to the Crusades and the great deal of walking associated with those events, shoes needed to be more durable and more comfortable. Since then shoes have progressed into the styles we know and love today. They have progresses to fashion as well as necessity, become manufactured and computer engineered instead of handmade, and now they are mostly made from man made material instead of natural material.
If shoes have been around so long and have come this far in engineering, why are people kicking them off to go au naturale? Though there has not been a lot of conclusive research done to prove whether or not running shoes are beneficial, when you look between developing countries (who wear fewer shoes) and westernized countries (who wear shoes more often), more acute lower body injuries occur in westernized countries. Bone and connective tissue injuries that occur from running are also more prevalent in westernized countries. This phenomenon could also be due to the lack of readily available medical attention in poorer areas but again, both these theories have not been proven. They can only be observations as of now.
Even with out concrete evidence barefoot runners swear by this lifestyle. The world was wowed in 1960 when Ethiopian runner Abebe Bikila won his first of many gold medals running barefoot. Of course this was nothing new to him, but it caught everyone else off guard. This trend was also followed by European runner Bruce Tulloh, American runner Charlie Robbinson, and American runner Zola Budd. Barefoot runners believe that with out the obstruction of a running shoe, the brain knows where to place the body and foot in order to run in a way that is healthiest for this particular runner. They believe that the brain is more aware of injuries that can happen and will do everything to avoid them when a shoe is not cutting off communication from the ground. This style of running has gained more support in the past few years though there is still a lack of significant research.
Research done by Michael Warburton and published in Sportsscience journal entitled ‘Barefoot Running’ which can be found at www.sportsci.org/jour/0103/mw.htm has shown that running shoes increase ankle sprains, Plantar Fasciitis, and other shock related injuries. He also found that less expensive running shoes cause fewer injuries and fewer stressing points on your body than more expensive and advanced running shoes do. According to the article Amby Burfoot wrote in Runnersworld, the brain is much more aware of your body and its surrounds when no shoes are worn.
Despite these findings, running shoes do have their advantages and pretty important ones at that. Most importantly they provide protection. We live in a very dangerous world no matter where you are running. Whether you are on a trial, a grassy field, on a side walk, or in a gym, puncture wounds are nothing to take lightly. These wounds can be very dangerous especially if they are not taken care of right away. Running shoes also provide the support that people with flat feet or high arches need. Shoes also protect diabetics from foot injuries. Diabetics are strongly recommended not to try this style of running.
For those who would like to give barefoot running a try the first step is to see a podiatrist and make sure you are a good candidate for this style of running. If you are, take it very slowly. Start by simply walking around your house without shoes. Make sure you are stepping on the middle/ball of your foot and ending your step with your heel (not the other way around). Next try walking in a safe sturdy area for just a little bit at a time. Make your walks longer until you are able to walk for a bit and then jog for a bit. Continue this progression until you feel comfortable and confident to run your normal routine. If you are a barefoot runner you should frequently get your feet checked by a podiatrist to make sure they are healthy.
Barefoot running is quite a controversial subject. Many people believe that we should run exactly how we are made and not let anything get in the way of that. Others believe that shoe where invented for a reason and are really important to wear. A third party believes that there is a happy medium between these views and has designed shoes that resemble barefoot running without the risk of puncture wounds. Do a little research and talk to your podiatrist to decide what is going to be the best running style for you.
Copyright (c) 2010 Dr. Jennifer Feeny
Dr. Jennifer Feeny is a board certified podiatric surgeon, with practices in Blacksburg, VA; Lexington, VA; and Troutville, VA. To see more of what Dr. Feeny is saying, visit her blog, Roanoke Foot Doctor, or website, Shenandoah Podiatry
Article Source: http://www.earticlesonline.com/Article/Barefoot-Running/710130