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Superficial plantar cutaneous sensation does not trigger barefoot running adaptations
1Exercise Science Department, Fort Lewis College, Durango, CO 81301, United States.
Gait & Posture
|July 21, 2017
Summary
Superficial skin sensation in the feet does not primarily drive barefoot running gait changes. Barefoot running alters stride length and foot strike, but numbing the feet had no effect on these barefoot adaptations.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Human Physiology
- Sports Science
Background:
- Gait alterations in barefoot running are hypothesized to stem from sensory feedback.
- Previous research lacked direct evidence to support the role of sensory feedback.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of superficial plantar cutaneous feedback in modulating gait during barefoot and shod running.
Main Methods:
- Ten healthy subjects completed running trials under four conditions: barefoot, shod, anesthetized barefoot, and anesthetized shod.
- Plantar anesthesia was induced using lidocaine injections.
- Gait analysis utilized 3D motion capture and ground reaction force (GRF) data.
Main Results:
- Barefoot running showed decreased stride length and a shift from rearfoot to forefoot/midfoot strike compared to shod running.
- Barefoot running also exhibited reduced impact peak and peak vertical GRFs.
- Anesthetizing the plantar surface did not alter stride length, foot strike, or GRFs in barefoot conditions.
Conclusions:
- Superficial cutaneous sensory receptors are not the primary drivers of gait modifications observed in barefoot running.
- These findings challenge the long-held hypothesis linking plantar sensation directly to barefoot running adaptations.
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