INFLUENCE OF THE FOOT-FLOOR INTERFACE ON SQUATTING PERFORMANCE

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of footwear on squatting performance. Eight athletes (age: 23.38 (± 7.52) years, mass: 88.41 (± 15.03) kg, height: 1.81 (±0.10) m) performed three back squats at 80% 1RM and three jump squats at 40% 1RM for each footwear condition (barefoot, Fivefingers and shod). Kinetics of squatting performance were recorded using two Kistler 9821 force plates. Results established that the shod condition elicited significantly (p<0.05) greater peak CM velocity (18%) and power (23%) than the Fivefingers condition during the back squat, with non-significant variations associated with the jump squat. Whilst further investigation is required to establish if changes in kinematics occur, findings from this study indicate that footwear can be used to significantly increase performance during the back squat.