NORMAL ISN'T NATURAL
THE BAREFOOT MOVEMENT CONFERENCE
We bring you the inaugural Barefoot Movement Conference, where leading biomechanists and scientists have shared the latest and most ground-breaking research in the movement space.
It’s a great chance for all those who want to dig a little deeper on foot health and movement.
THE IMPACT OF CUSHIONED SHOES ON HUMAN HEALTH AND WHY IT ALL STARTS WITH KIDS' FEET
Host Dr Rangan Chatterjee is joined by Dr Davis, Dr Francis and Dr D’Aout to discuss the impact cushioned shoes are having on human health and why is it vital for kids to move barefoot or with minimalist shoes as much as possible.
DR. PETER FRANCIS
INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY CARLOW, IE
Why barefoot?
Dr. Francis is a sport scientist, physical therapist, coach and mentor and has a BSc. Sport and Exercise Science, BSc. Physical Therapy and a PhD in Exercise Science.
In this lecture he will run through why moving barefoot is vital for human health and touching on the damage conventional shoes might be having on our feet.
DR. KRIS D'AOUT
UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL, UK
The biology of barefoot
Dr. D'Aout works in the Evolutionary Morphology & Biomechanics Group of the Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences of the University of Liverpool.
Dr. D'Aout will run through how indigenous and modern footwear can help us regain balance and strength.
DR. MICK WILKINSON
NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY, UK
The effects of foot structure, plantar-sensory feedback and shoe cushioning on biomechanical risk factors for knee injury in running
Dr. Wilkinson has been lecturing in Sport and Exercise Science at institutions across the UK since 1999.
The talk will present findings from a series of running-based studies examining the influence of great toe position on foot, ankle and knee joint movement; the effect of increasing plantar sensation with textured insoles on vertical loading rates; and differences in overstride and knee-joint loading between barefoot, minimal and maximally-cushioned shoes.
DR. IRENE DAVIS
HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL, USA
Benefits of Barefoot/Minimal Footwear in Running and walking in Adults
Dr. Davis is the founding Director of the Spaulding National Running Center, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School.
Dr. Davis' research has focused on the relationship between lower extremity structure, mechanics and injury. She talks through the science on why minimalist footwear offer multiple benefits for walking and running.
PROFESSOR YANNIS PITSILADIS
UNIVERSITY OF BRIGHTON, UK
Kids feet and minimalist footwear
Professor Yannis Pitsiladis has an established history of research into the importance of lifestyle and genetics for human health and performance. He is also a member of the IOC Medical and Scientific Commission, a member of the Executive Committee and Chair of the Scientific Commission of the International Sports Medicine Federation (FIMS).
The talk will unpack the impact footwear has on kids feet and the research around it.