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Walk through a park or along a nature trail these days, and you're likely to spot people taking off their shoes to walk barefoot on dirt or clay paths. The practice has become especially popular among middle-aged and older adults in Korea, with many joining barefoot walking clubs or traveling to famous clay trails in pursuit of better health.
Participants often report feeling that their feet are lighter, their sleep has improved and even their back and knee pain has eased after their walks. But what does barefoot walking actually do for the body?
The soles of the feet contain thousands of sensory receptors. Walking barefoot allows people to directly feel subtle changes in the ground's texture and pressure, prompting the small muscles in the feet and ankles to work harder.
