Event Title
Back to Basics: The Natural Impact of Barefoot Running
Presentation Type
Poster/Portfolio
Presenter Major(s)
Political Science
Mentor Information
Bradley Ambrose, ambroseb@gvsu.edu; James Scott, scottj@gvsu.edu
Department
Physics, Movement Science
Location
Henry Hall Atrium 4
Start Date
13-4-2011 9:00 AM
End Date
13-4-2011 10:00 AM
Keywords
Changing Ideas/Changing Worlds, Health and Wellness, Health, Illness, and Healing, Life Science, Physical Science, Technology
Abstract
We compared the difference in ground-force impact between runners using modern running footwear and those running barefoot. Barefoot running has been popularized in recent years as rumors have spread that this running style minimizes joint injury, giving rise to certain products that aim to replicate barefoot running. In a natural stride, the foot lands on its heel and the sole arcs through the stride until the toes touch down; running shoes restrict this arc, forcing the ankle to absorb more impact. We compared barefoot to shod running using a force plate treadmill, which measured the magnitude of ground impact force during each second of a runner's stride. The treadmill dissected each stride into time-based segments and examined the influence on pronation, the rotation of the foot at the ankle joints. Our working hypothesis stated that the modern running shoe alters the natural state of a runner's stride, and as a result, runners' joints incur greater strain at ground impact.
Back to Basics: The Natural Impact of Barefoot Running
Henry Hall Atrium 4
We compared the difference in ground-force impact between runners using modern running footwear and those running barefoot. Barefoot running has been popularized in recent years as rumors have spread that this running style minimizes joint injury, giving rise to certain products that aim to replicate barefoot running. In a natural stride, the foot lands on its heel and the sole arcs through the stride until the toes touch down; running shoes restrict this arc, forcing the ankle to absorb more impact. We compared barefoot to shod running using a force plate treadmill, which measured the magnitude of ground impact force during each second of a runner's stride. The treadmill dissected each stride into time-based segments and examined the influence on pronation, the rotation of the foot at the ankle joints. Our working hypothesis stated that the modern running shoe alters the natural state of a runner's stride, and as a result, runners' joints incur greater strain at ground impact.