Nothing to do with cycling, but this article is interesting.
You Walk Wrong
It took 4 million years of evolution to perfect the human foot. But we’re wrecking it with every step we take.
...In a 1997 study, researchers Steven Robbins and Edward Waked at McGill University in Montreal found that the more padding a running shoe has, the more force the runner hits the ground with: In effect, we instinctively plant our feet harder to cancel out the shock absorption of the padding. (The study found the same thing holds true when gymnasts land on soft mats—they actually land harder.) We do this, apparently, because we need to feel the ground in order to feel balanced. And barefoot, we can feel the ground—and we can naturally absorb the impact of each step with our bodies. “Whereas humans wearing shoes underestimate plantar loads,” the study concluded, “when barefoot they sense it precisely.”
The rest of the article is here (http://nymag.com/health/features/46213/).
East Hill
04-23-08, 07:07 PM
Nothing to do with cycling, but this article is interesting.
You Walk Wrong
It took 4 million years of evolution to perfect the human foot. But we’re wrecking it with every step we take.
...In a 1997 study, researchers Steven Robbins and Edward Waked at McGill University in Montreal found that the more padding a running shoe has, the more force the runner hits the ground with: In effect, we instinctively plant our feet harder to cancel out the shock absorption of the padding. (The study found the same thing holds true when gymnasts land on soft mats—they actually land harder.) We do this, apparently, because we need to feel the ground in order to feel balanced. And barefoot, we can feel the ground—and we can naturally absorb the impact of each step with our bodies. “Whereas humans wearing shoes underestimate plantar loads,” the study concluded, “when barefoot they sense it precisely.”
The rest of the article is here (http://nymag.com/health/features/46213/).
How about goatheads?
East Hill
DieselDan
04-23-08, 07:08 PM
Running is EVIL I tell you. Now we have proof!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
damnable
04-23-08, 07:27 PM
Interesting.
I have always known that wearing really soft shoes such as sneakers constantly on hard surfaces eg. concrete constantly causes soreness and injury to your legs and other joints. Possibly this could be a factor.
Sadly, not a lot of others know this. For example me walking into a store to buy a pair of boots. I say "I am going to be standing and walking all day on hard surfaces so I want something with a hard sole".
They respond "oh, I recommend these if you are on your feet all day on hard surfaces, they have lots of cushioning". They don't even listen. I didn't buy my boots there. /rant.
bautieri
04-24-08, 06:56 AM
I guess this explains why my solid soled dress (work) shoes are the most comfortable pair I own.
The Historian
04-24-08, 08:47 AM
Nothing to do with cycling, but this article is interesting.
You Walk Wrong
It took 4 million years of evolution to perfect the human foot. But we’re wrecking it with every step we take.
...In a 1997 study, researchers Steven Robbins and Edward Waked at McGill University in Montreal found that the more padding a running shoe has, the more force the runner hits the ground with: In effect, we instinctively plant our feet harder to cancel out the shock absorption of the padding. (The study found the same thing holds true when gymnasts land on soft mats—they actually land harder.) We do this, apparently, because we need to feel the ground in order to feel balanced. And barefoot, we can feel the ground—and we can naturally absorb the impact of each step with our bodies. “Whereas humans wearing shoes underestimate plantar loads,” the study concluded, “when barefoot they sense it precisely.”
The rest of the article is here (http://nymag.com/health/features/46213/).
And on a related footnote, the story of the infamous Iowa nudist/chessplayer:
http://jimvoelker.com/wolz.html
The Historian
04-24-08, 08:49 AM
I guess this explains why my solid soled dress (work) shoes are the most comfortable pair I own.
Ditto that. Another reason I never exercised as a child is that I always found athletic shoes uncomfortable. Now, since I no longer have working arches, everything is uncomfortable. :(
East Hill
04-24-08, 05:02 PM
And on a related footnote, the story of the infamous Iowa nudist/chessplayer:
http://jimvoelker.com/wolz.html
Why does he feel the need to drive nude?
We need to convince him of the joys of cycling nude ;) .
East Hill
The Historian
04-25-08, 05:22 AM
Why does he feel the need to drive nude?
We need to convince him of the joys of cycling nude ;) .
East Hill
Nude cycling is mentioned in this profile of the Iowa nudist:
And have you witnessed this interesting chess related phenomenon upclose, or do you observe from a discreet distance :D ?
East Hill
solveg
05-11-08, 08:01 AM
http://nymag.com/images/2/news/08/04/week4/walking080428_shoeless_1_130.jpg
http://nymag.com/images/2/news/08/04/week4/walking080428_shoeless_4_130.jpg
I own both of these from the article: the MBT tennis shoes AND the fivefingers! I love them both. The fivefingers creep people out, though.