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Long-term effects of school barefoot running program on sprinting biomechanics in children: A case-control study
Jun Mizushima1, Justin W L Keogh2, Kei Maeda3
1Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
Background:
The acute changes of running biomechanics in habitually shod children when running barefoot have been demonstrated. However, the long-term effects of barefoot running on sprinting biomechanics in children is not well understood.
Research Question:
How does four years of participation in a daily school barefoot running program influence sprint biomechanics and stretch-shortening cycle jump ability in children?
Methods:
One hundred and one children from barefoot education school (age, 11.2 ± 0.7 years-old) and 93 children from a control school (age, 11.1 ± 0.7 years-old) performed 50 m maximal shod and barefoot sprints and counter movement jump and five repeated-rebound jumping. To analyse sprint kinematics, a high-speed camera (240 fps) was used. In addition, foot strike patterns were evaluated by using three high-speed cameras (300 fps). Jump heights for both jump types and the contact times for the rebound jump were measured using a contact mat system. Two-way mixed ANOVA was used to examine the effect of school factor (barefoot education school vs control school) and footwear factor (barefoot vs shod) on the sprinting biomechanics.
Results:
Sprinting biomechanics in barefoot education school children was characterised by significantly shorter contact times (p = 0.003) and longer flight times (p = 0.005) compared to control school children regardless of footwear condition. In shod sprinting, a greater proportion of barefoot education school children sprinted with a fore-foot or mid-foot strike compared to control school children (p < 0.001). Barefoot education school children also had a significantly higher rebound jump height (p = 0.002) and shorter contact time than control school children (p = 0.001).
Significance:
The results suggest that school-based barefoot running programs may improve aspects of sprint biomechanics and develop the fast stretch-shortening cycle ability in children. In order to confirm this viewpoint, adequately powered randomised controlled trials should be conducted.
