The effect of stride length on the dynamics of barefoot and shod running
Introduction
Given the popularity of running, a number of interventions and technique changes have been proposed to attempt to improve performance and reduce the number of running related injuries. Altering running conditions can lead to kinematic and kinetic changes that may optimize muscle/tendon function and/or reduce stress on biological tissues (e.g. tendon, ligament, cartilage). Running shoes, barefoot running (Altman and Davis, 2012) and alterations in spatio-temporal parameters (stride frequency and stride length) (Derrick et al., 1998, Heiderscheit et al., 2011, Hobara et al., 2011, Lafortune et al., 1996, White and Lage, 1993) have been associated with significant kinematic and kinetic changes, which may have implications performance and injury risk. However, some interventions, such as footwear, have been shown to also affect spatio-temporal parameters (Altman and Davis, 2012), which leads to uncertainty regarding the origin of the kinematic and kinetic alterations. Therefore, the aim of this study was to systematically manipulate shoe conditions (barefoot versus shod) and stride length in order to understand how these conditions independently affect running dynamics.
Several previous studies have evaluated kinetic differences between barefoot and shod running, yet there is no consensus on potential differences in ground reaction forces (GRFs). For example, Divert et al. (2005), Lieberman et al. (2010) and Squadrone and Gallozzi (2009) report decreased impact forces in the barefoot condition, whereas De Wit et al. (2000) and Dickinson et al. (1985) found no difference in impact peaks between the barefoot and shod running, and Komi et al. (1987) found greater impact peaks in the barefoot condition. Varied results have also been reported for the differences in the GRF active peak between barefoot and shod running. Braunstein et al. (2010), Divert et al. (2005) and Kerrigan et al. (2009) report greater active peaks in the shod condition, while De Wit et al. (2000) and Squadrone and Gallozzi (2009) found no difference in the GRF active peak between barefoot and shod running. Potential differences in the anterior–posterior GRF components are also unclear; with Divert et al. (2005) reporting greater propulsive forces in the barefoot condition and De Wit et al. (2000) finding no difference in either braking or propulsive force between conditions.
One possible reason for the discrepancy in GRFs between barefoot and shod running may be differences in kinematic alterations when individuals run barefoot. While shoes offer an obvious protective benefit, the elevated and cushioned heel of modern running shoes leads many individuals to adopt a rear-foot strike pattern, which may increase collision forces (Lieberman et al., 2010) and joint moments (Kerrigan et al., 2009). Alternatively, when running barefoot, individuals tend to have a decreased range of motion at the knee, ankle and hip (Jenkins and Cauthon, 2011); a more plantarflexed position at ground contact (Divert et al., 2005, Lieberman et al., 2010, Squadrone and Gallozzi, 2009); and a significantly shorter stride length as compared to the shod condition (De Wit et al., 2000, Divert et al., 2005, Kerrigan et al., 2009, Komi et al., 1987, Lieberman et al., 2010, Squadrone and Gallozzi, 2009). The change in stride length is of particular interest as it has both kinematic and kinetic implications.
While differences in running kinetics associated with barefoot and shod running have received considerable attention, the independent changes associated with running in shoes (versus barefoot) and stride length have not be evaluated. In a study of shod runners, Farley and Gonzalez (1996) have shown that peak vertical GRFs decreased significantly with decreases in stride length. Derrick et al. (1998) report that decreasing stride length in the shod condition resulted in decreased lower extremity joint moments, though no statistics are provided. Further, Kerrigan et al. (2009) found that peak lower extremity joint moments were reduced in barefoot running, but there was little correlation between the decreased stride length associated with the barefoot condition and the decreased joint moments. While studies have clearly shown that barefoot running results in reduced stride lengths relative to shod running, it remains unclear how these changes influence joint dynamics. Therefore, in this study we independently evaluated the effects of shoes and changes in stride length on lower extremity kinetics. We hypothesized that peak ground reaction forces and joint moments would not differ for conditions of similar stride length and running velocity, regardless if an individual was running in shoes.
Section snippets
Methods
Eleven healthy, physically active adults [6 men and 5 women, age: 29±5.6 yr; height: 1.63±0.12 m; mass: 62.6±12.1 kg] participated in this study. Subjects were required to perform a minimum of 30 min of physical activity at least 5 days a week, and be free of musculoskeletal injury of the lower extremities or back. The University of Idaho׳s Institutional Review Board approved the protocol for this study, and written informed consent was obtained from each subject.
Preferred conditions
Subjects adopted a significantly shorter stride length and decreased running velocity in the preferred barefoot condition (P<0.05) (Table 1) compared to the preferred shod condition. There were no significant differences between the barefoot and shod condition for any of the kinetic parameters that were measured (Table 2).
Altered stride length conditions
There was a significant main effect for the relationship between stride length and the anterior–posterior GRF and vertical GRF (P<0.05) (Fig. 2). There was also a significant
Discussion
The goal of this study was to independently evaluate the effects of shoes and changes in stride length on lower extremity kinetics. Few studies have evaluated the effect of either stride length (Derrick et al., 1998, Heiderscheit et al., 2011, Hobara et al., 2011) or shoes (Bonacci et al., 2013, Kerrigan et al., 2009) on running kinetics. Because barefoot running leads to a decrease in stride length, the results of studies comparing barefoot and shod running are complicated and it remains
Conflict of interest statement
There are no conflicts of interest associated with this manuscript.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank the subjects who volunteered their time for this study. We would also like to thank Dr. Chantal Vella for utilization of lab space, and the members of the Human Performance Lab at the University of Idaho for their assistance with this project.
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