Peak Impact Forces and Metabolic Cost During Mid-Forefoot Striking in Shod Versus Barefoot Runners

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This experimental study will compare impact forces and metabolic cost in runners (N=20; ages 18-45 years, who already use a forefoot strike running gait) in two treadmill running test sessions (shod vs barefoot running)

Detailed Description
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Specific Aim 1: To identify if differences in metabolic cost exist between barefoot versus cushioned shod FM strikers during an acute bout of running exercise. Hypothesis: The metabolic cost will be higher in the cushioned shod runners with forefoot and midfoot strike compared to the barefoot runners. Specific Aim 2: To identify if differences in peak impact forces exist between barefoot versus cushioned shod runners in forefoot-midfoot (FM) strikers. Hypothesis: Peak impact forces will be higher in the barefoot runners with a forefoot and midfoot striking running style compared to the cushioned shod runners with a forefoot and midfoot striking running style.

Official Title
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Peak Impact Forces and Metabolic Cost During Mid-Forefoot Striking in Shod Versus Barefoot Runners: A Pilot Study

Conditions
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Healthy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: running with normal running shoes and barefoot


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: trained runners with a running foot striking style of either initial forefoot or midfoot strike. run on average at least 20 miles/week be able to run for at least 20 minutes at one session free of any orthopedic limitation Exclusion Criteria: history of lower extremity injury within the last 6 months prior to testing rear-foot strike running style does not run in a cushioned shoe on any occasion runs on average < 20 miles/week unable to run for 20 minutes or greater presence of any open wound or deformity on the feet which would prevent participant from running barefoot neurologic injury that would preclude normal running activity.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 60 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Shod versus Barefoot Running<br>two running conditions, with normal running shoes and barefoot | Other: running with normal running shoes and barefoot<br>* shod condition: normal running shoes barefoot condition: running with no shoewear<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Metabolic Rate During Barefoot and Shod Running | This study will measure the metabolic rate when a person runs on the treadmill with shoes (shod) and without shoes. Each person will run for 20 minutes on the treadmill on two different days, one with and one day without shoes. | Study consists of two visits, approximately 2 hours for each visit | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Peak Impact Forces During Barefoot and Shod Running | This study will be measuring the peak impact forces that a runner produces when running on the treadmill with shoes (shod) and without shoes. Each person will run for 20 minutes on the treadmill on two different days, one with and one day without shoes. | Study consists of two visits, approximately 2 hours for each visit | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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runners, mid-foot strike, fore foot strike, metabolic costs, trained runners (men,women) with a FM strike, shod running, barefoot running