POWER DEVELOPED BY THE MIDFOOT JOINT DURING RUNNING WITH AND WITHOUT SHOES

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to remedy the lack of knowledge about the function of the midfoot joint during the propulsion phase of running and to assess the effect of footwear on this function compared to running barefoot. A valid model of the rearfoot was identified and 12 healthy male subjects performed five trials each of running with and without shoes while data was collected with a ten-camera and single force plate motion capture system. Analysis of the results showed that the midfoot joint generated 39% of total power from the foot region during barefoot running. This reduced to 25% when shoe-wearing as a result of a reduction in range of motion at the midfoot joint. The findings may have implications for running efficiency and injury but both these conjectures need further study.