This is an article that was published last year in our Outdoor Blog. I think this time of the year is perfect for a reprint.SO, Are Your Feet Stupid?
On the way to your work, how many times will your foot step on something soft, uneven or otherwise challenging?
Not too often, right? R2D2 from Star Wars could navigate around with his tiny wheels without a problem.
We live in a world of flat and even surfaces where proprioceptive and sophisticated movements do not exist.
According to the S.A.I.D. principle (Specific Adaptation to Imposed Demand), the body adapts to whatever stimulus it is exposed to.
So if your ground connection is completely urbanized , the outcome is a physiologically illiterate foot and ankle that is not functioning at its full capacity. As a result, your only direct contact with the earth happens through a moronic bodypart, who can’t translate the laws of human movement for the rest of the body.
In other words, unchallenging stimulation has turned off the high tech features of the ankle complex and as a result, the rest of the body will suffer.
When your foot hits the ground, your whole body responds. If the function of the ankle is limited, the function of the rest of the body is limited.
When the foot hits the ground, there is a chain reaction that occurs throughout the rest of the body. When the foot and ankle complex are functioning at is best, this reaction is smooth and efficient.
If the foot and ankle are performing at a sub-par level, it is like you feet are speaking another language to the rest of your body.
So now, when your “office feet” are thrown into the proprioceptive jungle of an exciting hiking trail, they will feel like the first time on ice skates. Their coordination, balance, reaction speed and overall performance just can not keep up to the demands of the elements..
Uneven terrain, such as trails, grass, or sand will provide the physiological nourishment that your movement machinery craves. Such environments will restore the optimal capability to your foot and ankle, and thus, to the rest of your body.
Your foot is designed to operate on various surfaces and will be the happiest when it can fulfill its purpose.
So think about your daily life and ask yourself this question: what is your daily step ratio on flat surface versus uneven terrain?
Tommi
PS: And stop wearing shoes in your own house, what is the matter with you? Provide your feet the free movement and activation whenever you can. Barefoot is better!
PS2: A slip of the foot you may soon recover, but a slip of the tongue you may never get over. Benjamin Franklin
