--- title: Putting Your Best Foot Forward description: Regardless of which side of the “barefoot” fence you sit recent scientific developments by Harvard professor and barefoot enthusiast Dr Daniel Liebe image: https://www.bsmpg.com/hs-fs/file-5406944-png/images/33registernow.png --- [![BSMPG Logo](https://www.bsmpg.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BSMPG_June2016-theme_Images/logo.png?width=570&name=logo.png "BSMPG Logo")](https://www.bsmpg.com/) # Boston Sports Medicine and Performance Group, LLC Blog ## [Putting Your Best Foot Forward](https://www.bsmpg.com/Blog/bid/37187/Putting-Your-Best-Foot-Forward) Posted by Boston Sports Medicine and Performance Group on Mon, Mar 22, 2010 @ 21:03 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Regardless of which side of the “barefoot” fence you sit, recent scientific developments by Harvard professor and barefoot enthusiast, [Dr. Daniel Lieberman](http://www.barefootrunning.fas.harvard.edu/index.html) is sure to have you thinking about whether you should be reaching for your high top sneakers prior to your next stroll around the neighborhood or forgoing them all together in place of nature’s offering.  For those that continue to debate that running barefoot is just not feasible and perhaps dangerous, I’d have to offer a rebuttal…. I mean, barefoot running and training doesn’t mean going on an eight hour run [looking for your next meal](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=826HMLoiE_o).  Unfortunately, the term “barefoot training” has been hijacked and equated with burning your shoes followed by a life of hugging trees and growing your hair out.  I mean, we’ve all tried to increase our bench press max right? But we didn’t start day one with 350 lbs on the bar.  Like everything else, the decision of how to and when to go barefoot is dependent on a number of factors, but is certainly governed by the law of progressive overload and common sense.  Several practical suggestions on how to implement some barefoot work into your team’s training can be found in the March issue of [Training and Conditioning](http://www.training-conditioning.com/2010/03/06/baring_their_soles/index.php).  I’m not advocating you send your starting basketball center who’s been wearing Nike shocks their whole life for a run and plyo workout, but I’m pretty sure they have had shoes off recently, (maybe as recent as this morning when they woke up and walked to the bathroom) and their foot didn’t break right? So why don’t we take advantage of [Mr. Wolff’s](http://www.answers.com/topic/wolff-s-law) law and challenge your foot, ankle, and lower extremity just a little bit.   Barefoot training won’t cure cancer but it just might put a smile on your feet again. For a cliff note version of Dr. Lieberman’s Harvard work [click here](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jrnj-7YKZE). Art Horne Is the Coordinator of Care and Strength & Conditioning Coach for the Men’s Basketball Team at Northeastern University, Boston MA.  He can be reached at a.horne@neu.edu. ___________________________________________________ Click here to register for the 2010 conference in May! [![BSMPG](https://www.bsmpg.com/hs-fs/file-5406944-png/images/33registernow.png)](https://www.bsmpg.com/registration/)  Discount ends soon!! Topics: [basketball conference](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-conference), [athletic training conference](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/athletic-training-conference), [boston hockey summit](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/boston-hockey-summit), [boston hockey conference](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/boston-hockey-conference), [sports performance](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/sports-performance), [barefoot running](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/barefoot-running), [barefoot training](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/barefoot-training), [nike free](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/nike-free) ### Barefoot in Boston now available on Amazon.com “The residents who live here, according to the parable, began noticing increasing numbers of drowning people caught in the river’s swift current and so went to work inventing ever more elaborate technologies to resuscitate them. So preoccupied were these heroic villagers with rescue and treatment that they never thought to look UPSTREAM to see who was pushing the victims in.” Learn what is hurting your feet and your performance, and how to finally train your feet the way they were meant to be.[![barefoot in boston](https://www.bsmpg.com/hs-fs/file-5407262-png/images/barefoot.kindle.png)](http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=barefoot+in+boston&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Abarefoot+in+boston&ajr=8) ### Follow Me ### Subscribe to BLOG by Email ### Most Popular Posts ### Purchase Charlie Weingroff's DVD HERE! [![tequalsr2 lr](https://www.bsmpg.com/hs-fs/hub/52884/file-865742913.jpg?width=284&height=115&name=file-865742913.jpg)](http://tequalsr2.com?family=70efdf2ec9b086079795c442636b55fb) ### Browse by Tag - [achilles pain (7)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/achilles-pain) - [acute pain (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/acute-pain) - [Adam Naylor (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/adam-naylor) - [Adriaan Louw (14)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/adriaan-louw) - [Al Smith (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/al-smith) - [Alan Grodin (23)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/alan-grodin) - [Alan Stein (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/alan-stein) - [allen gruver (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/allen-gruver) - [Andrea Hudy (25)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/andrea-hudy) - [Andreo Spina (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/andreo-spina) - [Andy O'Brien (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/andy-obrien) - [ankle problems (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/ankle-problems) - [Announcements (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/announcements) - [Art Horne (132)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/art-horne) - [athletic trainer (17)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/athletic-trainer) - [athletic training (68)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/athletic-training) - [athletic training books (23)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/athletic-training-books) - [athletic training conference (209)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/athletic-training-conference) - [autonomy (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/autonomy) - [Barefoot in Boston (40)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/barefoot-in-boston) - [barefoot running (15)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/barefoot-running) - [barefoot strength training (21)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/barefoot-strength-training) - [barefoot training (18)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/barefoot-training) - [baseball conference (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/baseball-conference) - [basketball conference (153)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-conference) - [basketball performance (70)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-performance) - [Basketball Related (37)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-related) - [basketball resources (76)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-resources) - [basketball seminar (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-seminar) - [Basketball Training (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-training) - [basketball training programs (84)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-training-programs) - [basketball videos (21)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-videos) - [Ben Prentiss (14)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/ben-prentiss) - [Bill Knowles (48)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/bill-knowles) - [blunder (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/blunder) - [Bobby Alejo (11)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/bobby-alejo) - [Boo Schexnayder (10)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/boo-schexnayder) - [boston hockey conference (119)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/boston-hockey-conference) - [boston hockey summit (101)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/boston-hockey-summit) - [boston marathon (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/boston-marathon) - [Boston Promise (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/boston-promise) - [Brandon Bovee (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/brandon-bovee) - [Breathing Disorders (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/breathing-disorders) - [Brendon Ziegler (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/brendon-ziegler) - [Brian McCormick (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/brian-mccormick) - [Brijesh Patel (11)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/brijesh-patel) - [Brook Lopez (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/brook-lopez) - [Bruce Williams (22)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/bruce-williams) - [BSMPG (79)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/bsmpg) - [BSMPG baseball conference (6)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/bsmpg-baseball-conference) - [BSMPG Summar Seminar (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/bsmpg-summar-seminar) - [BSMPG Summer Seminar (119)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/bsmpg-summer-seminar) - [Cal Dietz (45)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/cal-dietz) - [Catapult (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/catapult) - [Charlie Weingroff (68)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/charlie-weingroff) - [children's hospital boston (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/childrens-hospital-boston) - [chris chase (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/chris-chase) - [Chris Joyce (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/chris-joyce) - [Chris Powers (12)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/chris-powers) - [Christopher McDougall (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/christopher-mcdougall) - [Chronic Pain (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/chronic-pain) - [Clare Frank (22)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/clare-frank) - [Cleveland Cavs (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/cleveland-cavs) - [concussion (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/concussion) - [concussion management (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/concussion-management) - [Conditioning-Agility-Speed (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/conditioning-agility-speed) - [conference video (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/conference-video) - [Core Stability Training (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/core-stability-training) - [Craig Liebenson (33)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/craig-liebenson) - [customer service (28)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/customer-service) - [Dan Boothby (17)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dan-boothby) - [Dan Gilbert (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dan-gilbert) - [Daniel Coyle (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/daniel-coyle) - [Daniel Lieberman (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/daniel-lieberman) - [Dartfish (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dartfish) - [Dave Tenney (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dave-tenney) - [deadlift Art Horne (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/deadlift-art-horne) - [Derek Hansen (6)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/derek-hansen) - [Derek Hanson (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/derek-hanson) - [Devan McConnell (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/devan-mcconnell) - [development (31)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/development) - [discipline (33)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/discipline) - [DNS (6)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dns) - [DNS course (12)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dns-course) - [Don Callahan (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/don-callahan) - [Dorsiflexion (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dorsiflexion) - [Dr. DiMuro (8)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dr-dimuro) - [Dunk Shot (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dunk-shot) - [dynamic neuromuscular stabilization (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dynamic-neuromuscular-stabilization) - [Eric Oetter (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/eric-oetter) - [Erik Helland (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/erik-helland) - [everything basketball (16)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/everything-basketball) - [evidence based medicine (13)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/evidence-based-medicine) - [Fascial Distortion Model (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/fascial-distortion-model) - [FAT-Tool (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/fat-tool) - [female basketball (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/female-basketball) - [female strength training (7)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/female-strength-training) - [Fenway Park (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/fenway-park) - [Fergus Connolly (23)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/fergus-connolly) - [Flexibility (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/flexibility) - [flow (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/flow) - [FMS (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/fms) - [Food Rules (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/food-rules) - [foot fracture (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/foot-fracture) - [foot pain (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/foot-pain) - [Foot Strike (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/foot-strike) - [football off-season workouts (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/football-off-season-workouts) - [functional movement screen (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/functional-movement-screen) - [Functional Performance Training (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/functional-performance-training) - [Functional Range Release (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/functional-range-release) - [George Mumford (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/george-mumford) - [Gerry Ramogida (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/gerry-ramogida) - [Good to Great (43)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/good-to-great) - [Gray Cook (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/gray-cook) - [Guest Author (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/guest-author) - [Health (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/health) - [Health & Wellness (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/health-wellness) - [Hip Hinge (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/hip-hinge) - [hockey conference (14)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/hockey-conference) - [hockey DVD (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/hockey-dvd) - [hockey videos (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/hockey-videos) - [Human Locomotion (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/human-locomotion) - [Inigo Mujika (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/inigo-mujika) - [innercity weightlifting (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/innercity-weightlifting) - [InsideTracker (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/insidetracker) - [inspiratory muscle training (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/inspiratory-muscle-training) - [integrated care (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/integrated-care) - [iowa football (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/iowa-football) - [Irene Davis (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/irene-davis) - [james anderson (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/james-anderson) - [Jay DeMayo (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jay-demayo) - [jay-z (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jay-z) - [Jeff Cubos (11)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jeff-cubos) - [jerry mcguire (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jerry-mcguire) - [Jim Snider (7)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jim-snider) - [jj barea (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jj-barea) - [Joel Jamieson (12)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/joel-jamieson) - [John Berardi (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/john-berardi) - [John DiMuro (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/john-dimuro) - [john sullivan (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/john-sullivan) - [john wooden (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/john-wooden) - [Jonas Sahratian (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jonas-sahratian) - [Jose Fernandez (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jose-fernandez) - [jose juan barea (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jose-juan-barea) - [Keiser (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/keiser) - [Keith D'Amelio (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/keith-damelio) - [Kettlebell Instruction (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/kettlebell-instruction) - [Kevin Durant (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/kevin-durant) - [Kevin Neeld (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/kevin-neeld) - [knee pain (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/knee-pain) - [Landon Evans (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/landon-evans) - [Leaders (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/leaders) - [Leaders in Performance (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/leaders-in-performance) - [Leadership (30)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/leadership) - [LeBron James (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/lebron-james) - [Leon Chaitow (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/leon-chaitow) - [Logan Schwartz (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/logan-schwartz) - [managing (11)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/managing) - [Marathon Monday (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/marathon-monday) - [Marc Bubbs (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/marc-bubbs) - [Marco Cardinale (26)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/marco-cardinale) - [Mark Cuban (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mark-cuban) - [Mark Lindsay (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mark-lindsay) - [Mark Scappaticci (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mark-scappaticci) - [Mark Toomey (6)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mark-toomey) - [Marvin Chun (13)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/marvin-chun) - [mastery (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mastery) - [Matt Jordan (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/matt-jordan) - [mental toughness (7)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mental-toughness) - [mental training (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mental-training) - [Mike Boyle (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mike-boyle) - [Mike Curtis (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mike-curtis) - [Mike Davis (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mike-davis) - [Mobility (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mobility) - [moneyball (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/moneyball) - [Mosley (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mosley) - [motivation (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/motivation) - [Motor Control (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/motor-control) - [Motor Learning (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/motor-learning) - [Movement (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/movement) - [movement impairments (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/movement-impairments) - [NBA (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/nba) - [Neil Rampe (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/neil-rampe) - [networking (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/networking) - [nike free (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/nike-free) - [Noraxon (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/noraxon) - [northeastern (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/northeastern) - [northeastern university (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/northeastern-university) - [off season training (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/off-season-training) - [orthopedic assessment (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/orthopedic-assessment) - [orthopedic risk factors (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/orthopedic-risk-factors) - [Ownership (16)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/ownership) - [Pat Riley (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/pat-riley) - [patient centered care (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/patient-centered-care) - [Patrick Ward (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/patrick-ward) - [Pavel Kolar (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/pavel-kolar) - [Pavel Tsatsouline (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/pavel-tsatsouline) - [Perform Better (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/perform-better) - [Performance Directors Meeting (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/performance-directors-meeting) - [performance testing (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/performance-testing) © 2020 Boston Sports Medicine and Performance Group, LLC