title: Kinetic changes during a six-week minimal footwear and gait-retraining intervention in runners.
abstract: An evaluation of a six-week Combined minimal footwear transition and gait-retraining combination vs. gait retraining only on impact characteristics and leg stiffness. Twenty-four trained male runners were randomly assigned to either (1) Minimalist footwear transition Combined with gait-retraining over a six-week period ("Combined" group; n = 12) examined in both footwear, or (2) a gait-retraining group only with no minimalist footwear exposure ("Control"; n = 12). Participants were assessed for loading rate, impact peak, vertical, knee and ankle stiffness, and foot-strike using 3D and kinetic analysis. Loading rate was significantly higher in the Combined group in minimal shoes in pre-tests compared to a Control (P ≤ 0.001), reduced significantly in the Combined group over time (P ≤ 0.001), and was not different to the Control group in post-tests (P = 0.16). The impact peak (P = 0.056) and ankle stiffness reduced in both groups (P = 0.006). Loading rate and vertical stiffness was higher in minimalist footwear than conventional running shoes both pre (P ≤ 0.001) and post (P = 0.046) the intervention. There has a higher tendency to non-rearfoot strike in both interventions, but more acute changes in the minimalist footwear. A Combined intervention can potentially reduce impact variables. However, higher loading rate initially in minimalist footwear may increase the risk of injury in this condition.
authors: a School of Health and Human Performance, Applied Sports Performance Research Group , Dublin City University , Dublin , Ireland.|d Department of Applied Science , Institute of Technology Tallaght , Dublin , Ireland.
authors: Joe P
authors: JP
authors: Warne
authors: a School of Health and Human Performance, Applied Sports Performance Research Group , Dublin City University , Dublin , Ireland.
authors: Barry P
authors: BP
authors: Smyth
authors: a School of Health and Human Performance, Applied Sports Performance Research Group , Dublin City University , Dublin , Ireland.
authors: John O'C
authors: JO
authors: Fagan
authors: a School of Health and Human Performance, Applied Sports Performance Research Group , Dublin City University , Dublin , Ireland.
authors: Michelle E
authors: ME
authors: Hone
authors: a School of Health and Human Performance, Applied Sports Performance Research Group , Dublin City University , Dublin , Ireland.|d Department of Applied Science , Institute of Technology Tallaght , Dublin , Ireland.
authors: Chris
authors: C
authors: Richter
authors: b School of Sport, Performing Arts and Leisure , University of Wolverhampton , Walsall , UK.
authors: Alan M
authors: AM
authors: Nevill
authors: a School of Health and Human Performance, Applied Sports Performance Research Group , Dublin City University , Dublin , Ireland.|c Department of Sport Medicine , Sports Surgery Clinic , Dublin , Ireland.
authors: Kieran A
authors: KA
authors: Moran
authors: a School of Health and Human Performance, Applied Sports Performance Research Group , Dublin City University , Dublin , Ireland.
authors: Giles D
authors: GD
authors: Warrington
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000842:Ankle / Q000502:physiology; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004867:Equipment Design; D005528:Foot / Q000502:physiology; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007717:Knee / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012420:Running / Q000293:injuries / Q000502:physiology*; D012775:Shoes; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology
keywords: Minimalism; barefoot running; running footwear; running related injury; running technique