After running barefoot for thousands of years, human beings who entered civilized society invented shoes. However, a recent study published in the British journal Nature shows that moderate barefoot running is helpful to form a healthy foot landing mode, which is beneficial to the health of bones and muscles.

Researchers from Harvard University and other institutions in the United States investigated the foot landing of long-term runners in the United States and Kenya. The results show that most people who run with shoes on for a long time land on their heels first, while those who run barefoot often land on their forepaws first.

The study found that even wearing running shoes with cushioning pads, when the heel hits the ground first, the impact force on the foot can reach three times the weight. When the forefoot hits the ground first, the impact force will drop to only 60% of the body weight due to the effective buffering of tendons and joints at the ankle. Because the long-term effect of this impact force may lead to fatigue fracture or plantar fasciitis, the researchers believe that the way to land on the forefoot is healthier.

Daniel Lieberman, a researcher at Harvard University, said that ancient humans may need to run barefoot for a long time to chase prey, thus evolving the corresponding foot structure, so people may feel more comfortable if they run barefoot moderately, which is also beneficial to skeletal muscle health. However, the researchers also pointed out that people should not be advised to give up running shoes, because barefoot may be injured by hard objects on the ground.