Running-related injury prevention through barefoot adaptations

Abstract

A number of reports indicate an extremely low running-related injury frequency in barefoot populations in contrast to reports about shod populations. It is hypothesized that the adaptations which produce shock absorption, an inherent consequence of barefoot activity and a mechanism responsible for the low injury frequency in unshod populations, are related to deflection of the medial longitudinal arch of the foot on loading. It is also hypothesized that the known inability of this arch of the shod foot to deflect without failure (foot rigidity) is responsible for the high injury frequency in shod populations. To evaluate these hypotheses, 17 recreational runners were analyzed to study the adaptive pattern of the medial longitudinal arch of the foot due to increased barefoot weightbearing activity. Changes occurred in the medial longitudinal arch which allowed deflection of this arch on loading which substantiated the hypotheses. Other evidence suggests that sensory feedback largely from the glabrous epithelium of the foot is the element of barefoot activity which induced these adaptations. The sensory insulation inherent in the modem running shoe appears responsible for the high injury frequency associated with running. The injuries are considered "pseudo-neuropathic" in nature.

The Effects of Shoe Type on Ground Reaction Force

“…This in turn allows the foot arch to work properly, fully flexing along three arches(transverse, lateral, medial), facilitating braking force and initiating forward movement as the tendons, ligaments, and muscles of the arch flex back into shape (Robbins, Gouw & Hanna, 1989;Robbins & Hanna, 1987).…”

“…Five-Toed Shoewas developed not only to be light and flexible, but also to allow the free movement of the forefoot (Yi, 2010). Although different shoe designs emulate barefoot movement, barefoot running itself is becoming more popular and research on this topic has increased in the USA (Robbins & Hanna, 1987).…”

The Immediate Effects of Five-Toed Shoes on Foot Structure

“…As a result, there has been a backlash against restrictive footwear, resulting in the barefoot running phenomena of today (Christoper & McDougall, 2009;Robbins & Hanna, 1987;Shakoor & Block, 2006). However, barefoot running itself might not be enough to alleviate the deleterious effects of a lifetime of abuse to the foot structure.…”

La biomecanica y psicomotricidad del corredor como factores determinantes para el apoyo del antepie en la carrera

“…Siendo esto una indicación de fortalecimiento y justificable con la retroalimentación sensorial que experimenta el pie al ir descalzo 4,5,9,10,11,12 . Al correr descalzo la zancada es más corta y más frecuente, por lo tanto el número de impactos es mayor 4,7,10 pero curiosamente, la absorción de energía total en el miembro inferior es menor 13,14 , el impacto se reduce al correr descalzo 11 .…”

“…En cambio, en la articulación de la cadera y rodilla disminuye el trabajo 13 . En el arco longitudinal interno (ALI) también se producen adaptaciones que indican una mayor tensión en él, por el almacenamiento y liberación de energía elástica 5,10,12 . La pierna se adapta a la dureza de la superficie manteniéndose rígida, de manera que actúa como un soporte lineal tanto en la carrera como en el salto 14 Esto justifica como el pie se enfrentaba al impacto del choque antes de la invención de la zapatilla moderna y además sugiere que este mecanismo de apoyo de antepié o mediopié en corredores descalzos podía estar protegiendo los pies y las extremidades inferiores de algunas lesiones que hoy por hoy están experimentando un alto porcentaje de corredores.…”