Acute effects of footwear and surface condition on sport specific performance in athletes

This study examined the acute effects of minimalist shoes, standard sport shoes, and barefoot conditions on sports-specific performance in forty-eight team and racket sport athletes across three testing sessions. Biomechanical laboratory assessments included 90° cutting maneuvers (90°COD) and jump tests. Linear (LS) and multidirectional sprint (MS) performances were evaluated in a second session on an indoor sports floor. In the third session, LS and MS performance were tested exclusively in minimalist shoes on tartan and artificial turf. Performance was quantified as test completion time and jump height. Significant footwear effects were observed for 90°COD, MS, and LS, with minimalist shoes and barefoot conditions reducing performance by up to 9% compared to standard sport shoes. Jumping performance was unaffected by footwear. Surface conditions significantly influenced LS and MS, with tartan and artificial turf improving performance by up to 9% compared to indoor surfaces. Significant sex differences were observed in all tests except for 90°COD. These findings suggest that the effects of footwear are context-dependent and should not be generalized without considering specific surfaces, movements, and individual factors. Future research should investigate whether long-term habituation can alter these outcomes.