An Evaluation of Barefoot Running
Barefoot running has become a popular research topic, driven by the increasing prescription of barefoot running as a means of reducing injury risk. Proponents of barefoot running cite evolutionary theories that long-distance running ability was crucial for human survival, and proof of the benefits of natural running. Subsequently, runners have been advised to run barefoot as a treatment mode for injuries, strength and conditioning. The body of literature examining the mechanical, structural, clinical and performance implications of barefoot running is still in its infancy. Recent research has found significant differences associated with barefoot running relative to shod running, and these differences have been associated with factors that are thought to contribute to injury and performance. Crucially, long-term prospective studies have yet to be conducted and the link between barefoot running and injury or performance remains tenuous and speculative. The injury prevention potential of barefoot running is further complicated by the complexity of injury aetiology, with no single factor having been identified as causative for the most common running injuries. The aim of the present review was to critically evaluate the theory and evidence for barefoot running, drawing on both collected evidence as well as literature that have been used to argue in favour of barefoot running. We describe the factors driving the prescription of barefoot running, examine which of these factors may have merit, what the collected evidence suggests about the suitability of barefoot running for its purported uses and describe the necessary future research to confirm or refute the barefoot running hypotheses.
Barefoot running has recently gained significant attention, both in scientific publications as well as in the lay media as a result of its alleged benefits for runners of all levels. These benefits include the potential for reduced injury risk, more economical running and, broadly speaking, a better understanding of running biomechanics. The translation of scientific theories into popular lay publications such as 'born to run' has transformed barefoot running into a topic of interest not only to scientists and clinicians, but also to all runners.
Recently, Lieberman supported the theoretical basis for barefoot running, concluding that humans evolved adaptations to optimise barefoot running, and that the biomechanics of such a style would minimise impact peaks, increase proprioception and foot strength and thus help prevent injury regardless of the choice of footwear. There remains a lack of conclusive evidence proving or refuting the proposed advantages of barefoot running, however. Such evidence will require long-term longitudinal studies and further understanding of the biomechanics and implications of barefoot running. To date, the failure to conclusively explain the implications of barefoot running on injury risk and performance appear to be the result of four factors
The aim of this review was to evaluate the merits of the theoretical factors driving the current scientific interest in barefoot running. These theoretical factors include anthropological/evolutionary theories, biomechanical factors associated with injury and performance outcomes. Understanding the rationale for barefoot running's purported benefits is important, since it drives future research approaches and methods to confirm or refute those benefits. We aim to evaluate current research evidence on the effectiveness of barefoot running as a means to reduce injury risk and improve performance, and suggest necessary future research to enable definitive and practical conclusions for clinicians, researchers and ultimately, runners.
Abstract and Introduction
Abstract
Barefoot running has become a popular research topic, driven by the increasing prescription of barefoot running as a means of reducing injury risk. Proponents of barefoot running cite evolutionary theories that long-distance running ability was crucial for human survival, and proof of the benefits of natural running. Subsequently, runners have been advised to run barefoot as a treatment mode for injuries, strength and conditioning. The body of literature examining the mechanical, structural, clinical and performance implications of barefoot running is still in its infancy. Recent research has found significant differences associated with barefoot running relative to shod running, and these differences have been associated with factors that are thought to contribute to injury and performance. Crucially, long-term prospective studies have yet to be conducted and the link between barefoot running and injury or performance remains tenuous and speculative. The injury prevention potential of barefoot running is further complicated by the complexity of injury aetiology, with no single factor having been identified as causative for the most common running injuries. The aim of the present review was to critically evaluate the theory and evidence for barefoot running, drawing on both collected evidence as well as literature that have been used to argue in favour of barefoot running. We describe the factors driving the prescription of barefoot running, examine which of these factors may have merit, what the collected evidence suggests about the suitability of barefoot running for its purported uses and describe the necessary future research to confirm or refute the barefoot running hypotheses.
Introduction
Barefoot running has recently gained significant attention, both in scientific publications as well as in the lay media as a result of its alleged benefits for runners of all levels. These benefits include the potential for reduced injury risk, more economical running and, broadly speaking, a better understanding of running biomechanics. The translation of scientific theories into popular lay publications such as 'born to run' has transformed barefoot running into a topic of interest not only to scientists and clinicians, but also to all runners.
Recently, Lieberman supported the theoretical basis for barefoot running, concluding that humans evolved adaptations to optimise barefoot running, and that the biomechanics of such a style would minimise impact peaks, increase proprioception and foot strength and thus help prevent injury regardless of the choice of footwear. There remains a lack of conclusive evidence proving or refuting the proposed advantages of barefoot running, however. Such evidence will require long-term longitudinal studies and further understanding of the biomechanics and implications of barefoot running. To date, the failure to conclusively explain the implications of barefoot running on injury risk and performance appear to be the result of four factors
The complexity of injury aetiology—injuries are rarely the result of a single risk factor, and the physiological and biomechanical changes associated with barefoot running can only ever address part of the complex array of causative factors for injury;
Large variability in mechanics between individuals, with respect to shod running and in the barefoot condition;
Differences in study design and methodology, such as overground and treadmill running, minimalist, shod and barefoot conditions;
The volumes of data acquired from biomechanical and neuromuscular analysis during running gait are often not analysed appropriately and lead to spurious conclusions.
The aim of this review was to evaluate the merits of the theoretical factors driving the current scientific interest in barefoot running. These theoretical factors include anthropological/evolutionary theories, biomechanical factors associated with injury and performance outcomes. Understanding the rationale for barefoot running's purported benefits is important, since it drives future research approaches and methods to confirm or refute those benefits. We aim to evaluate current research evidence on the effectiveness of barefoot running as a means to reduce injury risk and improve performance, and suggest necessary future research to enable definitive and practical conclusions for clinicians, researchers and ultimately, runners.
SHARE
