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Mechanical Comparison of Barefoot and Shod Running
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2005
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The study compared shod versus barefoot running by having 35 subjects perform two 4‑minute treadmill bouts at 3.33 m s⁻¹. Kinematic and kinetic parameters were recorded over approximately 60 consecutive steps during each bout. Barefoot running produced lower contact and flight times, reduced passive peak forces, and increased braking, pushing impulses and triceps surae pre‑activation, indicating a reduction in impact peak and mechanical stress that may improve elastic energy storage and restitution at the ankle extensors.
In order to further compare shod versus barefoot running, 35 subjects ran two bouts of 4 minutes at 3.33 m · 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.