Individual Responses to a Barefoot Running Program: Insight Into Risk of Injury

Conclusion: Eight weeks of progressive barefoot running did not change overall group biomechanics, but subgroups of responders (25% of the entire group) were identified who had specific changes that reduced the initial loading rate. It appears that changes in initial loading rate are explained by changes in ankle flexion angle at initial ground contact. Clinical Relevance: Uninstructed barefoot running training does not reduce initial loading rate in all runners transitioning from shod to barefoot conditions. Some factors have been identified that may assist sports medicine professionals in the evaluation and management of runners at risk of injury. Conscious instruction to runners may be required for them to acquire habitual barefoot running characteristics and to reduce risk of injury.
Source: The American Journal of Sports Medicine - Category: Sports Medicine Authors: Tags: Biomechanics, general, Gait analysis, Motion analysis/Kinesiology, Athletic training, Stress fractures, Running Source Type: research