Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of barefoot running on foot-strike patterns, eversion-inversion, running speed and vertical foot rotation in endurance runners. Eighty healthy recreational runners (age=34.11 +/- 12.95years old, body mass index=22.56 +/- 2.65kg m(-2)) performed trials in shod/unshod running conditions on a treadmill at comfortable and competitive self-selected speeds. Data were collected by systematic observation of lateral and back recordings at 240Hz. McNemar's test indicated significant differences between shod/unshod conditions and foot strike at comfortable and competitive speeds (P0.001). Speed was related to vertical foot rotation type for shod (P0.01) and unshod conditions (P0.05). Significant differences were found between shod/unshod conditions in foot rotation at comfortable running speeds (P0.001) and competitive running speeds (P0.01). No significant difference was found in inversion or eversion (P0.05). In conclusion, the results suggest that running kinematics, in terms of foot-strike patterns and vertical foot rotation, differ between shod/unshod conditions, while the inversion or eversion degree remains unchanged.