13 July 2015 : Clinical Research
Six Weeks Habituation of Simulated Barefoot Running Induces Neuromuscular Adaptations and Changes in Foot Strike Patterns in Female Runners
Iman Akef KhowailedABCDEF, Jerrold PetrofskyACDEFG, Everett LohmanAE, Noha DaherAEDOI: 10.12659/MSM.893518
Med Sci Monit 2015; 21:2021-2030
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a 6-week training program of simulated barefoot running (SBR) on running kinetics in habitually shod (wearing shoes) female recreational runners.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twelve female runners age 25.7±3.4 years gradually increased running distance in Vibram FiveFingers minimal shoes over a 6-week period. The kinetic analysis of treadmill running at 10 Km/h was performed pre- and post-intervention in shod running, non-habituated SBR, and habituated SBR conditions. Spatiotemporal parameters, ground reaction force components, and electromyography (EMG) were measured in all conditions.
RESULTS: Post-intervention data indicated a significant decrease across time in the habituation SBR for EMG activity of the tibialis anterior (TA) in the pre-activation and absorptive phase of running (P<0.001). A significant increase was denoted in the pre-activation amplitude of the gastrocnemius (GAS) between the shod running, unhabituated SBR, and habituated SBR. Six weeks of SBR was associated with a significant decrease in the loading rates and impact forces. Additionally, SBR significantly decrease the stride length, step duration, and flight time, and stride frequency was significantly higher compared to shod running.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study indicate that changes in motor patterns in previously habitually shod runners are possible and can be accomplished within 6 weeks. Non-habituation SBR did not show a significant neuromuscular adaptation in the EMG activity of TA and GAS as manifested after 6 weeks of habituated SBR.
Keywords: Biomechanical Phenomena, Electromyography, Foot - physiology, Muscle, Skeletal - physiology, Running, Shoes
Editorial
01 May 2024 : Editorial
Editorial: First Regulatory Approval for Adoptive Cell Therapy with Autologous Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs) – Lifileucel (Amtagvi)DOI: 10.12659/MSM.944927
Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e944927
In Press
14 Mar 2024 : Clinical Research
Differential DHA and EPA Levels in Women with Preterm and Term Births: A Tertiary Hospital Study in IndonesiaMed Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943895
15 Mar 2024 : Clinical Research
Evaluation of an Optimized Workflow for the Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation of Paroxysmal Atrial FibrillationMed Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943526
09 May 2024 : Review article
A Review of the Current Status of Disease-Modifying Therapies and Prevention of Alzheimer’s DiseaseMed Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.945091
09 Apr 2024 : Clinical Research
Correlation between Thalamocortical Tract and Default Mode Network with Consciousness Levels in Hypoxic-Isc...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943802
Most Viewed Current Articles
17 Jan 2024 : Review article
Vaccination Guidelines for Pregnant Women: Addressing COVID-19 and the Omicron VariantDOI :10.12659/MSM.942799
Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e942799
14 Dec 2022 : Clinical Research
Prevalence and Variability of Allergen-Specific Immunoglobulin E in Patients with Elevated Tryptase LevelsDOI :10.12659/MSM.937990
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e937990
16 May 2023 : Clinical Research
Electrophysiological Testing for an Auditory Processing Disorder and Reading Performance in 54 School Stude...DOI :10.12659/MSM.940387
Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e940387
01 Jan 2022 : Editorial
Editorial: Current Status of Oral Antiviral Drug Treatments for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Non-Hospitalized Pa...DOI :10.12659/MSM.935952
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e935952