title: Kinematic and kinetic comparison of barefoot and shod running in mid/forefoot and rearfoot strike runners.
abstract: Barefoot running has been associated with decreased stride length and switching from a rearfoot strike (RFS) pattern to a mid/forefoot strike (M/FFS) pattern. However, some individuals naturally contact the ground on their mid/forefoot, even when wearing cushioned running shoes. The purpose of this study was to determine if the mechanics of barefoot running by natural shod RFS runners differed from natural shod M/FFS runners. Twenty habitually shod runners (ten natural M/FFS and ten natural RFS) participated in this study. Three-dimensional motion analysis and ground reaction force data were captured as subjects ran at their preferred running speed in both barefoot and shod conditions. M/FFS experienced only a decrease in stride length when switching from shod to barefoot running. Whereas, when switching from shod to barefoot running, RFS individuals experienced a decrease in stride length, switched to a plantarflexed position at ground contact and saw reduced impact peak magnitudes. These results suggest that when barefoot, the RFS group ran similar to the M/FFS group running barefoot or shod.
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Program, University of Idaho, 875 Perimeter Drive MS 2401, Moscow, ID 83844-2401, United States. Electronic address: mathompson@fortlewis.edu.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.affiliation: Department of Statistics, University of Idaho, 875 Perimeter Drive MS 1104, Moscow, ID 83844-1104, United States. Electronic address: stevel@uidaho.edu.
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Movement Sciences, University of Idaho, 875 Perimeter Drive MS 2401, Moscow, ID 83844-2401, United States; WWAMI Medical Education Program, University of Idaho, 875 Perimeter Drive MS 4207, Moscow, ID 83844-4207, United States. Electronic address: jeffreys@uidaho.edu.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Seegmiller
authors.affiliation: WWAMI Medical Education Program, University of Idaho, 875 Perimeter Drive MS 4207, Moscow, ID 83844-4207, United States; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, 875 Perimeter Drive MS 3051, Moscow, ID 83844-3051, United States. Electronic address: cpmcgowan@uidaho.edu.
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: McGowan
mesh_terms: D061725:Accelerometry / Q000379:methods*; D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D009038:Motion; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D012775:Shoes
keywords: Barefoot; Biomechanics; Foot strike; Locomotion; Running