Saturday, October 24, 2009

Proprioception


I've been reading up lately on the neuroscience of play and also the bio-mechanics of barefoot running. There's an obnoxious drive within me to always be acting as an advocate for some cause. Why can't I just shut up and let people live their lives without getting all up in their faces about this or that research "they" did, and how good "this" is for you? Because life is short, and I'm psyched! So, for those interested in learning a little more about the barefoot stuff, I stole/modified the following from the Vibram FiveFingers website:

6 Reasons to Play Barefoot:

1. Strengthens Muscles in the Feet and Lower Legs - going barefoot will stimulate and strengthen muscles in the feet and lower legs, improving general foot health and reducing the risk of injury.

2. Improves Range of Motion in Ankles, Feet and Toes – no longer ‘cast’ in a shoe, the foot and toes move more naturally.

3. Stimulates Neural Function Important to Balance and Agility - when going barefoot, thousands of neurological receptors in the feet send valuable information to the brain, improving balance and agility.

4. Improves Proprioception and Body Awareness – those same neurological receptors heighten body awareness, sending messages about body mechanics, form, and movement.

5. Eliminates Heel Lift to Align the Spine and Improve Posture – By lowering the heel, our bodyweight becomes evenly distributed across the footbed, promoting proper posture and spine alignment.

6. Allows the Foot and Body to Move Naturally, Which Just FEELS GOOD.

Have fun......

1 comment:

Michelle said...

This is why we should have a barefoot office.

Agreed Wes, life is short and the more knowledge you can shove into it, the better off. Thanks for giving my brain desert tonight :)