Qatari Royal Mulls Sale of Luxury London Homes for £370 Million
A Qatari sheikh, whose son is fronting a bid for Manchester United Football Club, is mulling the sale
2023-08-18 15:54
Tempted to try barefoot running? Here’s what you need to know
Barefoot running seems to be rising in popularity, with fans hailing its many benefits – and some even tackling entire marathons without shoes. The thought of bare soles beating the pavement may leave many people wincing, and there are certainly things to consider before giving it a go. But the idea of exploring the most natural way to move – with our primitive bare feet on the ground – could be tempting too. So, what is the deal with barefoot running, and is it worth it? Are there any benefits to barefoot running? “Barefoot running really helps us reconnect with nature,” says Sammy Margo, a physiotherapist working with muscle and joint care specialists Deep Freeze and Deep Heat. For many, this is a big part of the appeal – and some fans of barefoot running say they’ve experienced benefits to their running form too. It’s important to remember our bodies may all respond differently to pressure and force, however, so how we react to barefoot running may vary. “The body, muscles, and joints will take on the ground pressure differently,” says podiatrist Dina Gohil, brand ambassador for CCS Foot Care. “Some people may experience improvement in pain in certain areas, and vice versa. The body works together and force is distributed to the best of your body’s ability to enable the movement you’re trying to achieve.” If you can physically feel your feet hitting the ground however, in theory, your body may become more aware of those forces and movement patterns. “Going shoe-free can help with your awareness of the position and movement of your body – proprioception. Exercising barefoot can also help restore natural running patterns and strides,” Gohil explains. For example, she adds: “Being barefoot can actually allow you to be more conscious of how the heel strikes on the ground, and at what pace and strength. So doing activities barefoot can help strengthen the foot and ankle, improve muscle strength, increase flexibility, and allow for proper movement.” Will you notice other changes? According to barefoot runners, the soles of your feet will also become a lot more resilient over time. “The best way to toughen feet is to try and walk on as many different surfaces as possible. Some people have also used newspapers on the ground to walk on to help with this process,” says Gohil. The muscles in your legs will develop differently too. Margo says: “Running barefoot also activates smaller muscles in our legs and feet, helping to improve strength and overall mobility.” Are there any risks or cons to think about? While many runners experience a range of benefits from going barefoot, there are certainly potential risks to consider. First and foremost, there’s the risk of wounding yourself if you stamp on something sharp – so always be sensible when choosing where to run barefoot. “Until your feet become acclimatised, you may find you are more prone to blisters until firmer skin or calluses have formed,” says Gohil. “There is also the increased risk of developing plantar fasciitis on the sole and heel of the foot. Other problems might include blisters, callus, cuts, infection, Achilles tendonitis, tight lower leg muscles, or stress fractures.” Margo adds: “As our muscles are working harder, [they] may become shorter and tighter, and you may feel some pain initially when you start barefoot running.” Having the support and comfort of a well-fitting running shoe can also be vital for many runners, particularly if you have a history of injuries or joint problems – so it’s advisable to speak with a healthcare professional before you attempt barefoot running. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live How can you get rid of acne scars? From serums to laser treatments, experts talk through the options 5 viral TikTok fake tanning tips for the perfect summer glow Not got the A-level grades you needed? Here’s how to get started with the clearing process
2023-08-18 15:53
Ford Swings at Supercars With New $300,000 Mustang GTD
Ford Motor Co. has debuted a $300,000, 800-horsepower Mustang. The 2025 Ford Mustang GTD is a street-legal, limited-edition
2023-08-18 09:51
Amazon Offers Influencers $25 Per Video, Sparking Chorus of LOLs
Amazon.com Inc., looking to amp up its TikTok-like shopping feed, has called on influencers to make hundreds of
2023-08-18 03:23
Xbox 360 Digital Store Is Closing Down in July 2024
If your game console of choice is the aging Xbox 360, we have bad news:
2023-08-17 22:57
Tyson Foods Said to Explore Possible Sale of China Business
Tyson Foods Inc., the biggest US meat company, is exploring options including a potential sale of its China
2023-08-17 21:45
You Don’t Need Your Own Jet to Feel Like You’re Flying Private
At Bloomberg Pursuits, we love to travel. And we always want to make sure we’re doing it right.
2023-08-17 21:45
Peloton Looks to Jump-Start Growth by Becoming a Workplace Perk
Peloton Interactive Inc., the seller of upscale home-gym equipment, wants to be known as something else: a workplace
2023-08-17 21:24
Blasphemous 2 Review
Castlevania is a classic franchise that's often imitated, but rarely duplicated. That said, there are
2023-08-17 20:17
It's Real! Lenovo Legion Go Gaming Handheld Images Leak
Leaked "official" images confirm the rumor that Lenovo is working on a gaming handheld to
2023-08-17 19:59
What can you actually do to help prevent cancer, as 12% believe coffee is carcinogenic?
A new poll has found that 12% of people still believe that drinking coffee is carcinogenic. The new poll – conducted by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), which surveyed 2,092 adults via YouGov – looked into the different ways people live, and whether it impacts their risk of cancer. The research found that 86% of people believed smoking increased the risk of cancer, while 60% said that being overweight could do the same. 47% thought being physically inactive can be detrimental, and 59% believed a poor diet can up the odds. Almost 59% said alcohol can increase a person’s risk and 55% said processed meat could be a risk factor. WCRF launched its poll to highlight its free eight-week interactive programme Activ8, to provide people with tips on making healthier food and drink choices, and finding different ways to be more active. Cancer Research UK wrote on their website that “not all cancers can be prevented, but there are things you can do to reduce your risk”. A person’s risk of cancer depends on many different things, for example, someone’s genes or age. But according to the charity, four in 10 UK cancer cases could be prevented. “The world around us doesn’t always make it easy to be healthy – but small changes to your daily routine can add up.“ The WCRF agreed and has said that around 40% of cancer cases could be prevented through factors including eating a healthy diet, keeping physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking and being safe in the sun. Dr Helen Croker, assistant director of research and policy at the WCRF, said: “These poll results show that many people aren’t aware of some of the steps they can take to help protect themselves from cancer. “For example, it’s interesting to see that 12% of Brits believe drinking coffee increases cancer risk, when in fact we have strong evidence that it reduces the risk of liver and womb cancers, and some evidence that drinking coffee could decrease the risk of other cancers, including mouth and skin. “For cancer prevention, there’s no reason for most people not to drink coffee, but for those who do, we recommend not adding sugar or other sweeteners, and drinking it in moderation.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live A-Level results: How to be the emotional support your teen really needs These are the cheapest school uniforms on the high street – according to Which? Half of anxiety and depression cases in new and expectant mums are missed: 7 signs a new mum needs help
2023-08-17 17:16
Takealot Starts Cape Town Rapid Delivery Before Amazon Comes
Takealot, South Africa’s leading online retailer, is introducing delivery within an hour for items ranging from phone chargers
2023-08-17 16:48