Why is barefoot training a critical element in any exercise and wellness program? Is it really that important? Yes it is. While barefoot training is rarely included when doing exercise, it can possibly give you the best results with the least amount of effort and time.
Can you imagine a house builder spending no time or little care on laying the foundations of his home? He knows this is the most important factor for his house staying upright for years to come. So too are the foundations of our body. The human foot and ankle contain 26 bones (one quarter of the human body), 33 joints and more than 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments. The fact is these play a critical role in our stability, posture, strength and whole-body wellness, especially if you exercise and compete in high impact sports.
Here are 5 benefits of barefoot training:
- Greater stability and balance: Apart from reducing falls, which is a high risk factor for the older generation, barefoot training will increase greater neuromuscular connection between the brain and the muscles in the feet and ankles. This results in faster response times, the activation of more muscles and an improved vestibular system (responsible for our tilting and righting mechanisms).
- Increases foot and ankle strength: Barefoot training reawakens muscles that have not been used in traditional training or in shoes. You may have already noticed that top athletes in different sports compete barefoot or almost barefoot – runners (sprinters), dancers, weight lifters, yogis, martial arts etc.
- Improved posture: Muscles and joints work more effectively in barefoot training, resulting in reduced chronic and ongoing pain and injuries, increased energy, improved flexibility and even improved breathing. Certain bio-mechanic problems will also improve like plantar fasciitis, foot neuromas, bunions and hammertoes.
- Reflexology healing: Barefoot training is a natural form of reflexology; that is, the process of stimulating nerves on the bottom of the feet, which in turn stimulates the immune system and reduces inflammation and pain, blood pressure and stress.
- Grounding: Although the research is only new, the foot connecting to the ground has been shown to discharge free radicals, improve the body’s anti-inflammatory responses and balance the body’s electrical charges, effectively earthing the body.
Barefoot training is a critical element in any exercise and wellness program, and you can get some great results with the least amount of effort and time. Like other types of training, please consult a specialist in this area.
For some simple foot and ankle exercises, check out some of our previous articles.
Cameron Corish has been caring and achieving results for the local Wishart, Mansfield and Mt Gravatt community for over 10 years. Together with the Core Health Coaching Team, he takes a multi-disciplined and holistic approach to health and fitness addressing the physical, mental and emotional aspects of one’s health.
Ready to feel and look your best? Come in for a FREE chat and see how we can transform your life. Call 0406 451 907 or email Cameron at cameron@corehealthcoaching.com.au
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