Elsevier

Clinical Biomechanics

Volume 29, Issue 4, April 2014, Pages 395-399
Clinical Biomechanics

Effects of barefoot and barefoot inspired footwear on knee and ankle loading during running

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2014.02.004Get rights and content

Abstract

Background

Recreational runners frequently suffer from chronic pathologies. The knee and ankle have been highlighted as common injury sites. Barefoot and barefoot inspired footwear have been cited as treatment modalities for running injuries as opposed to more conventional running shoes. This investigation examined knee and ankle loading in barefoot and barefoot inspired footwear in relation to conventional running shoes.

Method

Thirty recreational male runners underwent 3D running analysis at 4.0 m·s 1. Joint moments, patellofemoral contact force and pressure and Achilles tendon forces were compared between footwear.

Findings

At the knee the results show that barefoot and barefoot inspired footwear were associated with significant reductions in patellofemoral kinetic parameters. The ankle kinetics indicate that barefoot and barefoot inspired footwear were associated with significant increases in Achilles tendon force compared to conventional shoes.

Interpretation

Barefoot and barefoot inspired footwear may serve to reduce the incidence of knee injuries in runners although corresponding increases in Achilles tendon loading may induce an injury risk at this tendon.

Introduction

Recreational runners are known to be susceptible to injuries; 19.4–79.3% of all who participate in running activities will suffer from a chronic pathology over the course of one year (van Gent et al., 2007). The knee and ankle joint structures have been demonstrated to be the most common injury sites and are associated with one-fifth of all running-related injuries (van Gent et al., 2007).

Recently barefoot (BF) running has been the focus of much attention in footwear biomechanical research. The rise in popularity of barefoot locomotion is borne out of the hypothesis that running without shoes is associated with a reduced incidence of chronic running injuries (Lieberman et al., 2010). The rationale behind this notion is that the non-rearfoot strike pattern typically associated with barefoot locomotion serves to attenuate the magnitude and rate of the impact experienced by the musculoskeletal system as a result of the foot striking the ground (Sinclair et al., 2013a). Taking into account the barefoot movement's recent rise in popularity and potential propensity to reduce injury aetiology, shoes have been designed in an attempt to transfer the prospective benefits of barefoot movement into a shod condition (Sinclair et al., 2013a). Numerous barefoot inspired (BFIS) footwear models are currently available and vary in design characteristics from minimalistic e.g. Inov-8 Evoskin and Vibram Five Fingers to more structured designs which offer some midsole interface e.g. Nike Free (Sinclair et al., 2013a).

A number of studies have investigated the joint kinetics/kinematics of running BF and BFIS in relation to conventional running shoes. Sinclair et al. (2013a) showed that running BF was associated with increases in vertical rates of loading and ankle plantarflexion angle during the stance phase of running. Sinclair et al. (2013b) examined several BFIS models in relation to both BF and conventional running shoes. It was demonstrated that BF and minimalist BFIS were associated with increases in vertical rates of loading, ankle plantarflexion and also peak rearfoot eversion. Bonacci et al. (2013a) examined joint kinetics during BF and BFIS running, and it was demonstrated that BF and BFIS locomotion are associated with reduced knee extensor and increased ankle plantarflexion moments. Similarly in examinations of rear and mid/forefoot strike patterns, mid/forefoot runners have also been shown to exhibit increases in Achilles tendon force (ATF) and reductions in patellofemoral contact force (PTF) and pressure (PP) in comparison to those exhibiting a rearfoot strike pattern (Kulmala et al., 2013). Similarly, Bonacci et al. (2013b) showed that running without shoes was linked to significant reductions in PTF and PP compared to running footwear. It can be speculated based on these prevalent findings in relation to joint kinetics at the knee and ankle joints that BF and BFIS may alter loading patterns at these joints, however currently there is a paucity of information investigating PTF and PP at the knee and ATF patterns of the ankle during BFIS in comparison to conventional running footwear.

The aim of the current investigation was therefore to determine whether running in BF and BFIS footwear caused different levels of PTF and PP at the knee and ATF at the ankle in comparison to conventional running trainers. Specifically it was hypothesized that running BF and in minimalist BFIS would be associated with reduced PTF and PP in relation to conventional footwear.

Section snippets

Participants

Thirty recreational male runners, who engage in running activities a minimum of three times per week, were recruited for this investigation. The participants' mean characteristics were: age = 26.21, SD = 5.52 years, body mass = 73.45, SD = 6.00 kg, height = 1.77, and SD = 0.09 m. Participants were all free from pathology at the time of data collection and provided informed consent in written form. The procedure for the study was approved by a university ethical panel.

Procedure

The participants completed ten running

Results

Fig. 2 presents the knee and ankle joint angles/kinetics obtained as a function of footwear and Table 1 exhibits the discrete kinematic parameters. The results indicate that footwear significantly influenced both knee and ankle kinetic parameters.

Discussion

The current study aimed to determine whether running in BF and BFIS footwear caused different levels of knee and ankle loading patterns in comparison to conventional running trainers. This represents the first to investigate influence of BF and BFIS on PTF, PP and ATF in relation to conventional running footwear.

In support of our hypothesis, the first key observation of the current investigation is that BF, Vibram Five Fingers and Inov-8 conditions were associated with significantly lower EM,

Competing interests

No conflict of interest will arise from any of the authors involved in this paper.

Author contributions

Both named authors have made a significant and substantial contribution to all aspects of the study. Each of the named authors provided a meaningful contribution to the conception, design, execution and interpretation of the study data in addition to writing, drafting and revising the paper itself. This paper is submitted with the agreement and approval of both authors.

Funding

No external funding was provided for this paper.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Glen Crook for his technical assistance during data collection and to wish him a very happy retirement.

References (16)

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