A new footwear technology to promote non-heelstrike landing and enhance running performance: Fact or fad?
This study sought to compare the kinetics and kinematics data in a group of habitual shod runners when running in traditional running shoes and newly designed minimalist shoes with lug platform. This novel footwear design claims to simulate barefoot running and reduce energy loss during impact. We compared footstrike angle (FSA), vertical average (VALR) and instantaneous (VILR) loading rates, energy loss and initial vertical stiffness between two shoe conditions. Runners demonstrated a decreased FSA while running in minimalist shoes with lug platform than traditional shoes (P = 0.003; Cohen's d = 0.918). However, we did not observe a landing pattern transition. VALR and VILR between two footwear conditions showed no significant difference (P = 0.191-0.258; Cohen's d = 0.304-0.460). Initial vertical stiffness (P = 0.032; Cohen's d = 0.671) and energy loss (P = 0.044; Cohen's d = 0.578) were greater when running in minimalist shoes with lug platform. The results show that minimalist shoes with lug platform reduce the FSA but may not lead to a landing pattern switch or lower vertical loading rates. Interestingly, the new shoe design leads to a greater energy loss than traditional running shoes, which could be explained by a higher initial vertical stiffness.
a Gait & Motion Analysis Laboratory, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences , The Hong Kong Polytechnic University , Hung Hom , Hong Kong.
Janet H
JH
Zhang
b Department of Biology and Medical Science , Western University , London , Canada.
Aislinn J C
AJC
McPhail
a Gait & Motion Analysis Laboratory, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences , The Hong Kong Polytechnic University , Hung Hom , Hong Kong.
Winko W
WW
An
c Department of Physical Therapy , Buraydah Colleges , Buraydah , Saudi Arabia.
Waqar M
WM
Naqvi
a Gait & Motion Analysis Laboratory, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences , The Hong Kong Polytechnic University , Hung Hom , Hong Kong.
Daniel L H
DLH
Chan
a Gait & Motion Analysis Laboratory, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences , The Hong Kong Polytechnic University , Hung Hom , Hong Kong.
Ivan P H
IPH
Au
a Gait & Motion Analysis Laboratory, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences , The Hong Kong Polytechnic University , Hung Hom , Hong Kong.
Alvin T W
ATW
Luk
a Gait & Motion Analysis Laboratory, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences , The Hong Kong Polytechnic University , Hung Hom , Hong Kong.
Tony L
TL
Chen
a Gait & Motion Analysis Laboratory, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences , The Hong Kong Polytechnic University , Hung Hom , Hong Kong.
Roy T H
RTH
Cheung
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000502:physiology; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D012775:Shoes; D055815:Young Adult
Minimalist shoes; energy loss; footstrike pattern transition; hysteresis