Research article - (2016)15, 417 - 423
A Comparison of Stride Length and Lower Extremity Kinematics during Barefoot and Shod Running in Well Trained Distance Runners
Peter Francis1,2,, James Ledingham1, Sarah Clarke1,3,4, DJ Collins1, Philip Jakeman1
1Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, University of Limerick, Ireland
2School of Clinical and Applied Science, Leeds Beckett University, UK
3School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, UK
4School of Health and Human Performance, Northern Michigan University, USA

Peter Francis
✉ Senior Lecturer in Sport and Rehabilitation Science, School of Clinical and Applied Sciences, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, LS13HE, United Kingdom
Email: peter.francis@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
Received: 02-03-2016 -- Accepted: 16-06-2016
Published (online): 05-08-2016
ABSTRACT

Stride length, hip, knee and ankle angles were compared during barefoot and shod running on a treadmill at two speeds. Nine well-trained (1500m time: 3min:59.80s ± 14.7 s) male (22 ±3 years; 73 ±9 kg; 1.79 ±0.4 m) middle distance (800 m – 5,000 m) runners performed 2 minutes of running at 3.05 m·s-1 and 4.72 m·s-1 on an treadmill. This approach allowed continuous measurement of lower extremity kinematic data and calculation of stride length. Statistical analysis using a 2X2 factorial ANOVA revealed speed to have a main effect on stride length and hip angle and footwear to have a main effect on hip angle. There was a significant speed*footwear interaction for knee and ankle angles. Compared to shod running at the lower speed (3.05 m·s-1), well trained runners have greater hip, knee and ankle angles when running barefoot. Runners undertake a high volume (~75%) of training at lower intensities and therefore knowledge of how barefoot running alters running kinematics at low and high speeds may be useful to the runner.
Key words: Running mechanics, endurance, hip, knee, ankle

Key Points
  • Barefoot and shod kinematics are examined in competitive track runners with a mean 1500m personal best of 3:59:80. Previous literature has not investigated competitive track runners.
  • Compared to amateur runners, competitive track runners demonstrate a smaller reduction in stride length during barefoot running at ~3 m·s-1.
  • There is no difference in stride length or lower extremity kinematics when running at 4.72 m·s-1.
  • Given that competitive runners spend a large (~75%) amount of time training at lower speeds, interventions which favourably alter running kinematics may be advantageous for the prevention of injury.








Back		 |
Full Text		 |
PDF		 |
Share

Email link to this article

A Comparison of Stride Length and Lower Extremity Kinematics during Barefoot and Shod Running in Well Trained Distance Runners
Peter Francis, James Ledingham, Sarah Clarke, DJ Collins, Philip Jakeman
2016(15), 417 - 423.
DOI: https://doi.org/