Mechanical comparison of barefoot and shod running

• Published in: International journal of sports medicine Vol. 26; no. 7; p. 593
• Main Authors: Divert, C, Mornieux, G, Baur, H, Mayer, F, Belli, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany 01-09-2005
• Subjects: Adult; Biomechanical Phenomena; Female; Foot - physiology; Gait - physiology; Humans; Male; Muscle, Skeletal - physiology; Running - physiology; Shoes
• ISSN: 0172-4622
• DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-821327

In order to further compare shod versus barefoot running, 35 subjects ran two bouts of 4 minutes at 3.33 m x s(-1) on a treadmill dynamometer. Parameters were measured on about 60 consecutive steps. Barefoot showed mainly lower contact and flight time (p < 0.05), lower passive peak (1.48 versus 1.70 body weight, p < 0.05), higher braking and pushing impulses (p < 0.05), and higher pre-activation of triceps surae muscles (p < 0.05) than shod. It was concluded that when performed on a sufficient number of steps, barefoot running leads to a reduction of impact peak in order to reduce the high mechanical stress occurring during repetitive steps. This neural-mechanical adaptation could also enhance the storage and restitution of elastic energy at ankle extensors level.