Acute Differences in Foot Strike and Spatiotemporal Variables for Shod,Barefoot or Minimalist Male Runners |
| |
| Authors: | Ciara McCallion Bernard Donne Neil Fleming Brian Blanksby |
| |
| Affiliation: | 1. Departments of Anatomy and Physiology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland;2. Department of Kinesiology, Recreation and Sport, Indiana State University, Indiana, USA;3. School of Sport Science, Exercise and Health, University of Western Australia, Australia |
| |
| Abstract: | This study compared stride length, stride frequency, contact time, flight time and foot-strike patterns (FSP) when running barefoot, and in minimalist and conventional running shoes. Habitually shod male athletes (n = 14; age 25 ± 6 yr; competitive running experience 8 ± 3 yr) completed a randomised order of 6 by 4-min treadmill runs at velocities (V1 and V2) equivalent to 70 and 85% of best 5-km race time, in the three conditions. Synchronous recording of 3-D joint kinematics and ground reaction force data examined spatiotemporal variables and FSP. Most participants adopted a mid-foot strike pattern, regardless of condition. Heel-toe latency was less at V2 than V1 (-6 ± 20 vs. -1 ± 13 ms, p < 0.05), which indicated a velocity related shift towards a more FFS pattern. Stride duration and flight time, when shod and in minimalist footwear, were greater than barefoot (713 ± 48 and 701 ± 49 vs. 679 ± 56 ms, p < 0.001; and 502 ± 45 and 503 ± 41 vs. 488 ±4 9 ms, p < 0.05, respectively). Contact time was significantly longer when running shod than barefoot or in minimalist footwear (211±30 vs. 191 ± 29 ms and 198 ± 33 ms, p < 0.001). When running barefoot, stride frequency was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than in conventional and minimalist footwear (89 ± 7 vs. 85 ± 6 and 86 ± 6 strides·min-1). In conclusion, differences in spatiotemporal variables occurred within a single running session, irrespective of barefoot running experience, and, without a detectable change in FSP.Key points- Differences in spatiotemporal variables occurred within a single running session, without a change in foot strike pattern.
- Stride duration and flight time were greater when shod and in minimalist footwear than when barefoot.
- Stride frequency when barefoot was higher than when shod or in minimalist footwear.
- Contact time when shod was longer than when barefoot or in minimalist footwear.
- Spatiotemporal variables when running in minimalist footwear more closely resemble shod than barefoot running.
Key Words: Flight time, contact time, foot-strike pattern |
| |
| Keywords: | |
|
|
