16 Weeks of Progressive Barefoot Running Training Changes Impact Force and Muscle Activation in Habitual Shod Runners

NCT02815826 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: EEFEUSP_LBiomec-1
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 6
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of 16 weeks of progressive barefoot running training on impact force and muscle activation in habitual shod runners. Habitual shod runners were tested barefoot (BF) and shod (SH), before and after 16 weeks of progressive barefoot running training. Tests consisted of running on instrumented treadmill at 9 km/h, for 10 minutes in each experimental condition. Nine data acquisitions (10 s) of vertical ground reaction force (VGRF) and electromyographic (EMG) signal were conducted in each experimental condition, for each test.

Conditions

Barefoot Running

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Parameters of the vertical component of Ground Reaction Force (VGRF) related to impact force

  Biomechanical parameters related to impact forces, as magnitude of VGRF's first peak, time to reach first peak of VGRF and implulse from the first 50 ms, will be measured.

  4 months

• Electromyographic (EMG) parameters related to muscle activation intensity

  EMG signal will be measeured and the RMS, a parameter that reflects muscle activation intensity, will be evaluated.

  4 months

Study Arms (1)

Barefoot training

16 weeks of progressive barefoot running training

Other: Barefoot training; Other: Shod training

Interventions

Barefoot training OTHER

During 16 weeks, habitual shod runners kept their normal running training routine (wearing shoes), while they were introduced progressively to BF condition. Three training sessions were performed per week. Barefoot training started with 5% and ended with 20% of their WTV being performed without shoes. Soft surfaces (i.e. sand and grass) were adopted in the beginning of training (week 1 to 8). From week 9 to 16, participants mixed soft with harder surfaces, as treadmill and asphalt, to accomplish the training.

Barefoot training

Shod training OTHER

Running training planned individually to each runner, according to their physical fitness, and performed with shoes.

Barefoot training

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 40 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Habitual shod runners (recreational runners without experience in barefoot and/or minimatist running)

You may qualify if:

• to have a minimum of 6 months of regular running training;
• to have a minimum of 6 months of experience in running on treadmills;
• do not have suffered any orthopedic injury in the last 12 months.

You may not qualify if:

• to have experience in minimalist/barefoot running;
• to be habitual forefoot striker;
• to complete less than 80% of training;
• to suffer any injury during training.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Sao Paulo: lead

Study Sites (1)

Ana Paula da Silva Azevedo

São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508-030, Brazil

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 22, 2016
• First Posted: June 28, 2016
• Study Start: September 1, 2012
• Primary Completion: March 1, 2013
• Study Completion: May 1, 2013
• Last Updated: June 28, 2016

Record last verified: 2016-06

Locations

BR (1)