?Prof Ranel Venter from the Division of Sport Science in the Department of Exercise, Sport, and Lifestyle Medicine in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Stellenbosch 中国体育彩票 (SU) delivered her inaugural lecture on Thursday 3 October 2024. The title of her lecture was “Barefoot matters".
Venter spoke to the Corporate Communication and Marketing Division about her efforts to raise awareness about the impact of ill-fitting shoes on the development and functioning of our feet and also about why it is good to walk barefoot sometimes.
Tell us more about your research and why you became interested in this specific field.
From teaching biomechanics, I fully understand and appreciate the various functions of the human foot during our daily activities. I also know that restrictive and ill-fitting footwear influences foot function, can have a negative effect on foot health, and in the long term, influences overall well-being of individuals with foot problems due to footwear choices. Children who grow up habitually barefoot have stronger and better-functioning feet compared to their counterparts who grow up wearing shoes habitually.
I became interested in the field based on my academic knowledge, but also because of the belief that we should embrace the opportunity to be able to walk and be barefoot. Feet can improve functionally if we spend regular time without shoes.
I grew up barefoot and still regard myself as a barefoot person. I only wear shoes if required.
How would you describe the relevance of your work on habitually barefoot children?
I believe my work is relevant to most individuals – not just children. The importance of training our feet and developing well-functioning feet is of importance to everyone. Our feet are also valuable sources of information about our posture and balance. We are currently looking at the role of footwear in the risk of falls in older persons.
What were some of the practical outcomes of your research?
Creating an awareness of the importance of foot function and the influence of wearing ill-fitting shoes; providing education on practical ways to train the feet as well as training barefoot; and setting up the spin-out company BanziFeet.
What do you hope to achieve with BanziFeet?
Our primary aim is to convince shoe manufacturers to provide shoes for the South African population that are designed according to the unique morphology of our feet. In South Africa, shoe manufacturers are still using the foot sizing systems from the United Kingdom and the USA. Our research has confirmed the distinct differences in foot size and shape between populations from different continents. In the long run, we hope to get to a point where we can have a system for maybe the African continent, or at least for South Africa.
You have spent many years in the challenging environment of higher education. What keeps you motivated when things get tough?
Yes, I have been at SU for 42 years and have experienced tough times and good times. My motivators in tough times are my religion; a loving and supportive family; believing in a purpose/reason for being here; focusing on students and caring for others; and concentrating on research: I am a very curious person and enjoy the autonomy to be creative.
What aspects of your work do you enjoy the most?
My interactions with students and the ability to be creative and innovative.
Tell us something exciting about yourself that people would not expect.
I have run hundreds of kilometres doing marathons, including the 56 km of the Two Oceans. I have recently started running again after many decades. I successfully completed my first 10 km trail run on Saturday.
I like to venture into the unknown. I looooove travelling. If I had the means, I would like to do a few overseas trips, but also camping trips into Africa.
I care deeply for animals and have rescued many kinds of animals. I would like to work in a rehabilitation centre for birds or mammals (I'm not too fond of reptiles).
How do you spend your free time?
I love gardening and grow various vegetables throughout the year, using compost that I 'make' in the garden. I also work with essential oils to make all kinds of things such as creams, perfume, and diffusers. I chop wood and like making a fire. As a family, we love the outdoors and going camping. As mentioned, I have also started to run again.
?
