ACUTE EFFECTS OF BAREFOOT RUNNING ON LOWER LIMB KINEMATICS AND SPATIOTEMPORAL VARIABLES IN HABITUALLY SHOD MALES

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the immediate effects of barefoot running on lower limb joint kinematics and stride patterns in a group of habitually shod runners. Ten male runners performed 1 minute bouts of treadmill running at 3 fixed velocities in both shod and barefoot conditions. 2D video kinematic data were recorded and 6 discrete markers were digitized in order to quantify ankle, knee and hip kinematics. Synchronous kinetic data were recorded from a force plate supporting the right posterior treadmill leg in order to quantify spatiotemporal variables. BF running resulted in significantly higher stride frequency and shorter ground contact times. In addition, BF running significantly reduced knee and hip but increased ankle range of motion during the absorptive phase of the stance. The results highlight that running mechanics can change in as little as 30 seconds of BF running.