Previous research has shown immediate changes to running mechanics such as foot strike pattern, joint kinematics, impact forces and muscle activation in barefoot runners. The literature is sparse in relation to long term effects of barefoot running.
6 participants took part in this study. The 16 week training intervention comprised of 3 running sessions per week. Initially barefoot running started at 5% of the running duration and increased to 20% by the end. Firmer surfaces were used to run on in the second half of the program.
This study has shown that the incorporation of barefoot running into training program will decrease impact forces, muscle activation intensity and improve shock absorption. After 16 weeks of incorporating barefoot running into a training program muscle activation intensity in gastronemius, tibialis anterior, vastus lateralis and rectus femoris decreased. Only gastronemius muscle activity was attenuated during shod running. Vertical ground reaction forces were seen to decrease post intervention during shod and barefoot running.
> From: Azevedo et al., PLoS One 11 (2017-03-09 07:09:57) e0167234 . All rights reserved to The Author(s). Click here for the online summary.
