title: Effects of barefoot and barefoot inspired footwear on knee and ankle loading during running.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recreational runners frequently suffer from chronic pathologies. The knee and ankle have been highlighted as common injury sites. Barefoot and barefoot inspired footwear have been cited as treatment modalities for running injuries as opposed to more conventional running shoes. This investigation examined knee and ankle loading in barefoot and barefoot inspired footwear in relation to conventional running shoes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty recreational male runners underwent 3D running analysis at 4.0m·s(-1). Joint moments, patellofemoral contact force and pressure and Achilles tendon forces were compared between footwear.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the knee the results show that barefoot and barefoot inspired footwear were associated with significant reductions in patellofemoral kinetic parameters. The ankle kinetics indicate that barefoot and barefoot inspired footwear were associated with significant increases in Achilles tendon force compared to conventional shoes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Barefoot and barefoot inspired footwear may serve to reduce the incidence of knee injuries in runners although corresponding increases in Achilles tendon loading may induce an injury risk at this tendon.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Applied Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Lancashire, UK; Darwin Building 217, Centre for Applied Sport Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, School of Sport Tourism and Outdoors, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, Lancashire PR1 2HE, UK. Electronic address: JKSinclair@uclan.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sinclair
mesh_terms: D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D000842:Ankle / Q000502:physiology*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D007717:Knee / Q000502:physiology*; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D011312:Pressure; D011481:Protective Clothing; D012420:Running / Q000293:injuries / Q000502:physiology*; D012775:Shoes / Q000145:classification*; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Achilles tendon load; Barefoot; Minimalist footwear; Patellofemoral contact