Reduction in ground reaction force variables with instructed barefoot running

Autor: Cynthia D. Samaan, Michael J. Rainbow, Irene S. Davis
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2014
Předmět:
Zdroj: Journal of Sport and Health Science, Vol 3, Iss 2, Pp 143-151 (2014)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2095-2546
DOI: 10.1016/j.jshs.2014.03.006
Popis: Backgound: Barefoot (BF) running has recently increased in popularity with claims that it is more natural and may result in fewer injuries due to a reduction in impact loading. However, novice BF runners do not necessarily immediately switch to a forefoot strike pattern. This may increase mechanical parameters such as loading rate, which has been associated with certain running-related injuries, specifically, tibial stress fractures, patellofemoral pain, and plantar fasciitis. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in loading parameters between typical shod running and instructed BF running with real-time force feedback. Methods: Forty-nine patients seeking treatment for a lower extremity injury ran on a force-sensing treadmill in their typical shod condition and then BF at the same speed. While BF they received verbal instruction and real-time feedback of vertical ground reaction forces. Results: While 92% of subjects (n = 45) demonstrated a rearfoot strike pattern when shod, only 2% (n = 1) did during the instructed BF run. Additionally, while BF 47% (n = 23) eliminated the vertical impact transient in all eight steps analyzed. All loading variables of interest were significantly reduced from the shod to instructed BF condition. These included maximum instantaneous and average vertical loading rates of the ground reaction force (p
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals