Walking barefoot for at least ten minutes a day improves body balance and strengthens foot muscles, sports physician Dr Jean-Marc Sène told French television show Bonjour ! La Matinale TF1.
Sène explained that the thickness of material beneath the feet directly affects human balance, warning that shoes with excessively thick soles can dull the crucial nerve sensors located on the sole of the foot.
Feet are often neglected despite being essential structural components for maintaining posture and stability. According to Sène, standing on a surface that is softer than solid ground causes a person to sway after just a few seconds because soft cushioning disrupts sensory signals.
The arch of the foot contains between 2,000 and 4,000 specialized sensors that activate continuously in response to applied pressure. Sène said these sensors fire constantly to send real-time feedback to the brain whenever a person shifts slightly forward, backward, or to the side, allowing the brain to instantly adjust body position.
When footwear soles are overly thick or soft, the signal from these plantar sensors is muted. This feedback mechanism operates permanently, so attenuating the signal reduces the brain's ability to maintain steady posture.
Foot muscle strength and minimalist shoes
To keep plantar sensors responsive and properly engage the muscles inside the foot, Sène advised walking barefoot whenever the opportunity arises. He noted that heavy cushioning from thick shoe soles leaves foot muscles underused and lacking tone.
Sène cited an experiment conducted on runners who transitioned to minimalist shoes, which feature thin soles and minimal cushioning. Researchers found that foot muscle thickness increased by nearly 9% to 10% simply from wearing minimalist footwear.
The study demonstrated that runners developed stronger toes and improved their overall stability as their foot muscles grew thicker.
Minimalist shoes are lightweight footwear engineered to replicate barefoot biomechanics while offering basic surface protection. Sène, a prominent French sports physician and regular television health contributor, frequently highlights functional movement and joint health on national broadcasts.
Reducing fall risks in older adults
Sène emphasized that walking barefoot occasionally becomes even more critical after the age of 60. He reminded viewers that the risk of falling increases significantly with age as natural foot sensitivity deteriorates.
Tactile sensitivity in the feet decreases by approximately 5% to 8% per decade as people age. Sène explained that regularly exercising the feet without shoes helps restore sensitivity and muscular strength, directly counteracting the heightened risk of falls in older populations.
Although barefoot movement offers significant health benefits at home, related health guidance mentioned in the report advises holiday travelers not to walk barefoot while on commercial flights for hygiene reasons.
TF1 is France's leading commercial television network, and Bonjour ! La Matinale TF1 is its weekday morning news program. Sène's weekly health segment focuses on preventive wellness strategies and accessible daily habits for viewers.
