Changes in gait and footstrike patterns from a "barefoot" transition program

What is it about?

This study examined how runners changed how they ran following 12 weeks of a progressive training program using "Vibram Five Fingers" minimalist shoes.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

We found that runners who trained in Vibram minimalist shoes for 12 weeks ran with a different technique (kinematics is the technical term) and with different foot-strike patterns to a group who continued training in regular shoes. They not only ran differently when in bare feet, but also changed the way they ran when wearing cushioned shoes. Therefore a training program using these minimalist or "simulated barefoot" shoes could be used to change a runners technique to be "more barefoot-like".