Irene Davis is a renowned biomechanics clinician and scientist. Barefoot running has been one of her areas of focus and she co-authored the Nature paper that received cover attention and created mainstream attention to that topic.

She and first author Dr Patrick McKeon, conceived of the idea of a foot ‘core’; if certain foot muscles act as a core it has immediate implications for management in clinical practice.

Listen to Professor Davis and see the linked paper (below). Let us know if you agree, disagree. Tweet or write a blog post (email to karim.khan@ubc.ca).

One of few researchers who addresses this issue, Prof Davis is a regular keynote speaker at major international conferences. In this BJSM podcast she shares her clinical approach to assessing patients where the ‘foot core’ may be relevant.

See also:

‘The foot core system: a new paradigm for understanding intrinsic foot muscle function’: http://bit.ly/1zw4Syw

Listen to Prof Davis discussing how to treat patellofemoral pain in another BJSM podcast: http://goo.gl/kxse10

Barefoot running: an evaluation of current hypothesis, future research and clinical applications: http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/48/5/349.full

The foot core system: a new paradigm for understanding intrinsic foot muscle function: http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2014/03/21/bjsports-2013-092690.full

Running in a minimalist and lightweight shoe is not the same as running barefoot: a biomechanical study: http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/47/6/387.full

Patellofemoral pain: consensus statement from the 3rd International Patellofemoral Pain Research Retreat held in Vancouver, September 2013: http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/48/6/411.full

Baffled by the barefoot running vs traditional running shoe controversy? How to make an informed choice!: http://blogs.bmj.com/bjsm/2013/10/28/baffled-by-the-barefoot-running-vs-traditional-running-shoe-controversy-dont-be-make-an-informed-choice/

Patellofemoral pain syndrome? Consider orthoses or more comfortable shoes!: http://blogs.bmj.com/bjsm/2011/02/24/patellofemoral-pain-syndrome-consider-orthoses-or-more-comfortable-shoes/

Professor Irene Davis (Harvard) on treating patellofemoral pain: https://soundcloud.com/bmjpodcasts/professor-irene-davis-harvard-on-treating-patellofemoral-pain