Effect of minimalist and maximalist shoes on impact loading and footstrike pattern in habitual rearfoot strike trail runners : an in-field study

Shiwei Mo, Zoe Y. S. Chan, Kenneth K. Y. Lai, Peter Pak-Kwan Chan, Rachel Xiao-Yu Wei, Patrick Shu-Hang Yung, Gary Shum, Roy Tsz-Hei Cheung

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Running-related injuries among trail runners are very common and footwear selection may modulate the injury risk. However, most previous studies were conducted in a laboratory environment. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of two contrasting footwear designs, minimalist (MIN) and maximalist shoes (MAX), on the running biomechanics of trail runners during running on a natural trail. Eighteen habitual rearfoot strike trail runners completed level, uphill and downhill running at their preferred speeds in both shod conditions. Peak tibial acceleration, strike index and footstrike pattern were compared between the two footwear and slopes. Interactions of footwear and slope were not detected for all the selected variables. There was no significant effect from footwear (F = 1.23, p = 0.27) and slope (F = 2.49, p = 0.09) on peak tibial acceleration and there was no footwear effect on strike index (F = 3.82, p = 0.056). A significant main effect of slope on strike index (F = 13.24, p < 0.001) was found. Strike index during uphill running was significantly greater (i.e. landing with a more anterior foot strike) when compared with level (p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 1.72) or downhill running (p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 1.44) in either MIN or MAX. The majority of habitual rearfoot strike runners switched to midfoot strike during uphill running while maintaining a rearfoot strike pattern during level or downhill running. In summary, wearing either one of the two contrasting footwear (MIN or MAX) demonstrated no effect on impact loading and footstrike pattern in habitual rearfoot strike trail runners running on a natural trail with different slopes.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)183-191
Number of pages9
JournalEuropean Journal of Sport Science
Volume21
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

Keywords

  • footwear
  • running
  • running injuries

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Effect of minimalist and maximalist shoes on impact loading and footstrike pattern in habitual rearfoot strike trail runners : an in-field study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this