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Written By: Agencies | Updated : May 16, 2016 10:21 AM IST
Starting your day with either running or jogging not only helps you to start the day on a healthy note but also refreshes your mind and body. However, doing it the right way is the key to kick-start your day. And if you believed that wearing a right pair of shoes while running helps you to reap the health benefits, then you need to think twice! As according to a recent study running barefoot is better than running with shoes for your working memory which refers to our ability to recall and process information, according to a study. Working memory is used throughout our lifespan. By improving it, we may be able to realise gains in key areas, from school to work to retirement. Working memory is increasingly recognised as a crucial cognitive skill, and these findings are great news for people looking for a fun way to boost their working memory, said one of the researchers, Tracy Alloway, from the University of North Florida in the US. Here is a beginner's guide to running.
The researchers enlisted 72 participants between the ages of 18 and 44, who ran both barefoot and with shoes on at a comfortable, self-selected pace for approximately 16 minutes. Working memory was measured before and after running. The results of this research, published in the journal Perceptual and Motor Skills, found a significant increase -- approximately 16 percent -- in working memory performance in the barefoot-running condition. Also read about how long should you run to lose weight?
There was no significant increase in working memory when running with shoes. If we take off our shoes and go for a run, we can finish smarter than when we started, Ross Alloway, who is also from University of North Florida, said. When running barefoot, one often has to avoid stepping on potentially hurtful objects by using precise foot placement. It is possible that the barefoot condition required a more intensive use of working memory because of the extra tactile and proprioceptive demands associated with barefoot running, which may account for the working memory gains, Ross Alloway explained. Also keep in mind the signs that your heart is under strain while running.
Source: IANS
Image Source: Shutterstock
