Dataset Information

Effect of Minimalist Footwear on Running Efficiency: A Randomized Crossover Trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Although minimalist footwear is increasingly popular among runners, claims that minimalist footwear enhances running biomechanics and efficiency are controversial.

Hypothesis

Minimalist and barefoot conditions improve running efficiency when compared with traditional running shoes.

Study design

Randomized crossover trial.

Level of evidence

Level 3.

Methods

Fifteen experienced runners each completed three 90-second running trials on a treadmill, each trial performed in a different type of footwear: traditional running shoes with a heavily cushioned heel, minimalist running shoes with minimal heel cushioning, and barefoot (socked). High-speed photography was used to determine foot strike, ground contact time, knee angle, and stride cadence with each footwear type.

Results

Runners had more rearfoot strikes in traditional shoes (87%) compared with minimalist shoes (67%) and socked (40%) (P = 0.03). Ground contact time was longest in traditional shoes (265.9 ± 10.9 ms) when compared with minimalist shoes (253.4 ± 11.2 ms) and socked (250.6 ± 16.2 ms) (P = 0.005). There was no difference between groups with respect to knee angle (P = 0.37) or stride cadence (P = 0.20). When comparing running socked to running with minimalist running shoes, there were no differences in measures of running efficiency.

Conclusion

When compared with running in traditional, cushioned shoes, both barefoot (socked) running and minimalist running shoes produce greater running efficiency in some experienced runners, with a greater tendency toward a midfoot or forefoot strike and a shorter ground contact time. Minimalist shoes closely approximate socked running in the 4 measurements performed.

Clinical relevance

With regard to running efficiency and biomechanics, in some runners, barefoot (socked) and minimalist footwear are preferable to traditional running shoes.

SUBMITTER: Gillinov SM

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4482302 | biostudies-literature | 2015 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Effect of Minimalist Footwear on Running Efficiency: A Randomized Crossover Trial.

Gillinov Stephen M SM Laux Sara S Kuivila Thomas T Hass Daniel D Joy Susan M SM

Sports health 20150501 3

<h4>Background</h4>Although minimalist footwear is increasingly popular among runners, claims that minimalist footwear enhances running biomechanics and efficiency are controversial.<h4>Hypothesis</h4>Minimalist and barefoot conditions improve running efficiency when compared with traditional running shoes.<h4>Study design</h4>Randomized crossover trial.<h4>Level of evidence</h4>Level 3.<h4>Methods</h4>Fifteen experienced runners each completed three 90-second running trials on a treadmill, each ...[more]

PMID: 26131304

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackroundCalcaneal spurs are described as bony outgrowths arising on medial calcaneal, where inappropriate footwear can promote disease progression.ObjectiveInvestigate the effectiveness of mechanical treatment with customized insole and minimalist flexible footwear during gait training program in women with calcaneal spur.MethodsDesign: A single-blinded, randomized and controlled trial.SettingBiomechanics laboratory.ParticipantsForty-three women, 29 with calcaneal spur and 14 control.InterventionGait training program with use of the minimalist flexible footwear (MFG n = 15, age: 48.9 ± 9.4, height: 1.61 ± 0.1, BMI: 32.1 ± 7.0) and customized insole on footwear (COIG n = 14, age: 50.3 ± 5.8, height: 1.62 ± 0.1, BMI: 32.2 ± 4.3) and control (CG n = 14, age: 47.8 ± 8.6, height: 1.63 ± 0.1, BMI: 27.5 ± 4.5), followed of the evaluations: baseline (T0) and after three (T3) and six (T6) months. Duration of the intervention was of the six months consecutive for at least 42 h per week (six hours a day, seven days a week). Outcome primary were calcaneus pain (visual analogue scale), Foot Function Index (FFI), Foot Health Status Questionnaire (FHSQ-Br) and 6-min walk test (6MWT). Secondary was plantar pressure distribution by a pressure platform system during gait and static index foot posture (FPI).Statistical analysisanalysis of variance for repeated measure and between groups were used to detect treatment-time interactions (α = 5%). Effect size with D Cohen's also was used between T0 and after six (T6) months of intervention.ResultsThe MFG and COIG were effective at reducing pain after six months (MFG: 2.5-4.5 CI, p = 0.001; COIG: 1.5-3.5 CI, p = 0.011). The FFI and FHSQ-Br showed improvements with MFG and COIG after T6 (MFG: 13.7-15.4 CI, p = 0.010; COIG: 11.3-15.0 CI, p = 0.001). The 6MWT increased with MFG (589.3-622.7 CI) and COIG (401.3-644.7 CI) and foot pronation was decreased after T3 and T6 MFG (FPI Right: 4.2-5.4 CI; Left: 3.6-5.4 CI) COIG (FPI Right: 3.4-6.8 CI; Left: 3.3-5.7 CI). The contact area reduced on forefoot and rearfoot with MFG and GOIG and midfoot and rearfoot with MFG. Maximum force was reduced on foot with MFG after T3 and T6. The peak pressure was reduced on the forefoot with MFG and COIG and on midfoot and rearfoot with MFG.ConclusionsThe mechanical treatment with customized insole and minimalist flexible footwear during gait training program during six months in women with calcaneal spur reduced the calcaneus pain, increased function and health feet and reduced plantar load on the rearfoot, midfoot and forefoot. However, the footwear alone was more effective than when combined customized insole, given the greater efficacy on clinical and biomechanical aspects.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03040557 (date of first registration: 02/02/2017).

Project description:BackgroundRunning technique and running speed are considered important risk factors for running injuries. Real-time feedback on running technique and running speed by wearables may help reduce injury risk.PurposeTo investigate whether real-time feedback on spatiotemporal metrics and relative speed by commercially available pressure-sensitive insoles would reduce running injuries and improve running performance compared with no real-time feedback.Study designRandomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.MethodsA total of 220 recreational runners were randomly assigned into the intervention and control groups. Both groups received pressure-sensitive insoles, but only the intervention group received real-time feedback on spatiotemporal metrics and relative speed. The feedback aimed to reduce loading on the joint/segment estimated to exhibit the highest load. Injury rates were compared between the groups using Cox regressions. Secondary outcomes compared included injury severity, the proportion of runners with multiple injuries, changes in self-reported personal best times and motivation (Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire-2), and interest in continuing wearable use after study completion.ResultsA total of 160 participants (73%) were included in analyses of the primary outcome. Intention-to-treat analysis showed no significant difference in injury rate between the groups (Hazard ratio [HR], 1.11; P = .70). This was expected, as 53 of 160 (33%) participants ended up in the unassigned group because they used incorrect wearable settings, nullifying any interventional effects. As-treated analysis showed a significantly lower injury rate among participants receiving real-time feedback (HR, 0.53; P = .03). Similarly, the first-time injury severity was significantly lower (-0.43; P = .042). Per-protocol analysis showed no significant differences in injury rates, but the direction favored the intervention group (HR, 0.67; P = .30). There were no significant differences in the proportion of patients with multiple injuries (HR, 0.82; P = .40) or changes in running performance (3.07%; P = .26) and motivation. Also, ~60% of the participants who completed the study showed interest in continuing wearable use.ConclusionReal-time feedback on spatiotemporal metrics and relative speed provided by commercially available instrumented insoles may reduce the rate and severity of injuries in recreational runners. Feedback did not influence running performance and exercise motivation.RegistrationNL8472 (Dutch Trial Register).

Project description:PurposeCigarette smoking is an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease and is associated with impaired postprandial metabolism. Acute exercise reduces postprandial lipemia and improves other coronary heart disease risk markers in nonsmokers. Less is known about responses in cigarette smokers.MethodsTwelve male cigarette smokers (mean ± SD; age = 23 ± 4 yr, body mass index = 24.9 ± 3.0 kg·m-2) and 12 male nonsmokers (age = 24 ± 4 yr, body mass index = 24.1 ± 2.0 kg·m-2) completed two, 2-d conditions (control and exercise) in a randomized crossover design. On day 1, participants rested for 9 h (0800-1700) in both conditions except a 60-min treadmill run (65% ± 7% peak oxygen uptake, 2.87 ± 0.54 MJ) was completed between 6.5 and 7.5 h (1430-1530) in the exercise condition. On day 2 of both conditions, participants rested and consumed two high-fat meals over 8 h (0900-1700) during which 13 venous blood samples and nine resting arterial blood pressure measurements were collected.ResultsSmokers exhibited higher postprandial triacylglycerol and C-reactive protein than nonsmokers (main effect group effect size [Cohen's d] ≥ 0.94, P ≤ 0.034). Previous day running reduced postprandial triacylglycerol, insulin, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (main effect condition d ≥ 0.28, P ≤ 0.044) and elevated postprandial nonesterified fatty acid and C-reactive protein (main effect condition d ≥ 0.41, P ≤ 0.044). Group-condition interactions were not apparent for any outcome across the total postprandial period (0-8 h; all P ≥ 0.089), but the exercise-induced reduction in postprandial triacylglycerol in the early postprandial period (0-4 h) was greater in nonsmokers than smokers (-21%, d = 0.43, vs -5%, d = 0.16, respectively; group-condition interaction P = 0.061).ConclusionsAcute moderate-intensity running reduced postprandial triacylglycerol, insulin, and resting arterial blood pressure the day after exercise in male cigarette smokers and nonsmokers. These findings highlight the ability of acute exercise to augment the postprandial metabolic health of cigarette smokers and nonsmokers.

Project description:ImportanceIndividually calibrated biomechanical footwear therapy may improve pain and physical function in people with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis, but the benefits of this therapy are unclear.ObjectiveTo assess the effect of a biomechanical footwear therapy vs control footwear over 24 weeks of follow-up.Design, setting, and participantsRandomized clinical trial conducted at a Swiss university hospital. Participants (N = 220) with symptomatic, radiologically confirmed knee osteoarthritis were recruited between April 20, 2015, and January 10, 2017. The last participant visit occurred on August 15, 2017.InterventionsParticipants were randomized to biomechanical footwear involving shoes with individually adjustable external convex pods attached to the outsole (n = 111) or to control footwear (n = 109) that had visible outsole pods that were not adjustable and did not create a convex walking surface.Main outcomes and measuresThe primary outcome was knee pain at 24 weeks of follow-up assessed with the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain subscore standardized to range from 0 (no symptoms) to 10 (extreme symptoms). The secondary outcomes included WOMAC physical function and stiffness subscores and the WOMAC global score, all ranging from 0 (no symptoms) to 10 (extreme symptoms) at 24 weeks of follow-up, and serious adverse events.ResultsAmong the 220 randomized participants (mean age, 65.2 years [SD, 9.3 years]; 104 women [47.3%]), 219 received the allocated treatment and 213 (96.8%) completed follow-up. At 24 weeks of follow-up, the mean standardized WOMAC pain subscore improved from 4.3 to 1.3 in the biomechanical footwear group and from 4.0 to 2.6 in the control footwear group (between-group difference in scores at 24 weeks of follow-up, -1.3 [95% CI, -1.8 to -0.9]; P < .001). The results were consistent for WOMAC physical function subscore (between-group difference, -1.1 [95% CI, -1.5 to -0.7]), WOMAC stiffness subscore (between-group difference, -1.4 [95% CI, -1.9 to -0.9]), and WOMAC global score (between-group difference, -1.2 [95% CI, -1.6 to -0.8]) at 24 weeks of follow-up. Three serious adverse events occurred in the biomechanical footwear group compared with 9 in the control footwear group (2.7% vs 8.3%, respectively); none were related to treatment.Conclusions and relevanceAmong participants with knee pain from osteoarthritis, use of biomechanical footwear compared with control footwear resulted in an improvement in pain at 24 weeks of follow-up that was statistically significant but of uncertain clinical importance. Further research would be needed to assess long-term efficacy and safety, as well as replication, before reaching conclusions about the clinical value of this device.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02363712.

Project description:BackgroundThe role of spironolactone treatment in hemodialysis patients is debated, but a survival benefit is suggested. Mineralocorticoids and chronic kidney disease have been linked to cardiovascular fibrosis. Therefore, we hypothesized that spironolactone would affect vascular stiffness, cardiac systolic, and diastolic function in hemodialysis patients.MethodsThis was a randomized crossover study in hemodialysis patients supplemented with an echocardiographic case series. All outcomes reported here were secondary in the trial and were assessed without blinding. Block randomization and allocation determined treatment order. Participants received 50 mg spironolactone daily for 12 weeks and untreated observation for another 12 weeks. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured before and after treatment and observation. Doppler-echocardiography was conducted before and after treatment. Systemic arterial compliance indexed to body surface area (SACi), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), the peak early diastolic mitral inflow velocity (E), the peak late diastolic mitral inflow velocity (A), and the peak early diastolic myocardial lengthening velocity (E') were measured. E/A and E/E' were then calculated. Statistical analyses were conducted per protocol. A generalized linear mixed model with random participant effects was used for PWV. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for echocardiographic variables.ResultsThirty participants were recruited, 18 completed follow-up, and 17 were included in PWV-analyses. Spironolactone treatment showed a tendency toward an increase in PWV of 1.34 (95% confidence interval: -0.11 to 2.78) m/s, which was not statistically significant (P = 0.07). There were no significant changes in any of the other variables (LVEF, E/A, E/E', or SACi).ConclusionsWe found no evidence supporting an effect of 12-week administration of spironolactone 50 mg daily on vascular stiffness, cardiac systolic, or diastolic function in hemodialysis patients.

Dataset Information

Effect of Minimalist Footwear on Running Efficiency: A Randomized Crossover Trial.

Background

Hypothesis

Study design

Level of evidence

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Clinical relevance

Publications

Effect of Minimalist Footwear on Running Efficiency: A Randomized Crossover Trial.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets