NYTimes: The Human Body Is Built for Distance

NYTimes: The Human Body Is Built for Distance

I found this article on marathon running in sandals was interesting. They say that people are getting more injuries from running with current high-tech sneakers now than our ancestors (and a present-day Mexican tribe) get with very simple shoes or even sandals.

The Human Body Is Built for Distance

Does running a marathon push the body further than it is meant to go?

"Most mammals can sprint faster than humans — having four legs gives them the advantage. But when it comes to long distances, humans can outrun almost any animal. Because we cool by sweating rather than panting, we can stay cool at speeds and distances that would overheat other animals. On a hot day, the two scientists wrote, a human could even outrun a horse in a 26.2-mile marathon. "

"So if we’re born to run, why are runners so often injured? ... Running on only artificial surfaces and in high-tech shoes can change the biomechanics of running, increasing the risks of injury.

What’s the solution? Slower, easier training over a long period would most likely help; so would brief walk breaks, which mimic the behavior of the persistence hunter. And running on a variety of surfaces and in simpler shoes with less cushioning can restore natural running form."http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/27/health/27well.html