Instability in the feet and ankles can affect your gait and any degree off in your alignment, even the tiniest bit, can cause your body to compensate for balance. This compensation can radiate up the kinetic chain manifesting as potential issues for the knee, IT band, hamstring, hip, etc.
Barefoot training provides numerous benefits such as:
- Helps develop a solid foundation by strengthening the muscles in the feet (essential for arch strength and ankle stability). Foundation always comes first.
- Makes neuromuscular pathways stronger and improves initial neural firing which supports the rest of the body’s movements.
- Enhances overall mind/body connection. Our feet are filled with a number of proprioceptors, which help the body interpret, orient, and navigate in space. This is what helps to maintain our balance and stability.
Have you ever tried training barefoot?