144. Minimalist Shoes, Running Mechanics & Barefoot Training | Irene Davis, PhD, PT

Irene Davis, PhD, PT, is a Professor in the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science in the Morsani College of Medicine at the University of South Florida.  Prior to this, she was the founding Director of the Spaulding National Running Center in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School.  Dr. Davis received her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from the University of Massachusetts, and in Physical Therapy from the University of Florida.  She earned her Masters degree in Biomechanics from the University of Virginia, and her PhD in Biomechanics from Pennsylvania State University. Her research is focused on the relationship between lower extremity structure, mechanics and injury and extends to the development of interventions to alter faulty mechanics through gait retraining. Her interests also include the effect of minimal footwear on mechanics and injury. She has given over 350 lectures both nationally and internationally and authored 160 publications on the topic of lower extremity mechanics during walking and running gait. She has been named one of the 50 Most Influential People in Running.  She is the current President of the American College of Sports Medicine. 

In this episode, we discuss:

• Dr. Davis’ journey into PT and how she developed a passion into minimalist footwear and training.
• Foot anatomy and the importance of spending time training and addressing the foot core
• Various foot strike patterns and force distribution
• Foot types, and shoe types such as motion control, stability, etc.
• The role of minimalist footwear training and how it applies to clinical medicine
• Early and lifetime exposure to barefoot training

Studies mentioned in the show:

1. Injury reduction effectiveness of assigning running shoes based on plantar shape in Marine Corps basic training
2. Injury reduction effectiveness of selecting running shoes based on plantar shape
3. Injury-reduction effectiveness of prescribing running shoes on the basis of foot arch height: summary of military investigations
4. Foot strike patterns and collision forces in habitually barefoot versus shod runners
5. Walking in Minimalist Shoes Is Effective for Strengthening Foot Muscles
6. The foot core system: a new paradigm for understanding intrinsic foot muscle function
7. The effect of a 12-week custom foot orthotic intervention on muscle size and muscle activity

Other resources mentioned in the show:

Born to Run by Chris McDougall

Follow Dr. Davis:

Twitter @IreneSDavis