Conceptualizing minimalist footwear: an objective definition

Abstract

Running has been plagued with an alarmingly high incidence of injury, which has resulted in the exploration of interventions aimed at reducing the risk of running-related injury. One such intervention is the introduction of footwear that mimics barefoot running. These have been termed minimalist shoes. Minimalist footwear aims to reduce the risk of injury by promoting adaptations in running biomechanics that have been linked to a reduction in both impact and joint forces. However, some studies have found that minimalist footwear may be beneficial to the runner as they promote favourable biomechanical adaptations, whilst other studies have found the opposite to be true. Reasons for these conflicting results could be attributed to the lack of a definition for minimalist footwear. The aim of this review article is to provide a structural definition for minimalist footwear based on studies that have examined the influence of footwear on biomechanical variables during running. Based on current literature, we define minimalist footwear as a shoe with a highly flexible sole and upper that weighs 200g or less, has a heel stack height of 20mm or less and a heel-toe differential of 7mm or less.

Influence of Maximal Running Shoes on Biomechanics Before and After a 5K Run

“…In 2009, the minimalist shoe, defined by very little cushioning and heel drop, became popular among runners. 4 Popularity of these shoes spiked largely because their benefits were espoused by shoe manufacturers and authors of popular-press books, 12 who claimed that a lack of cushioning would reduce injuries by promoting a more natural forefoot-strike pattern. 10 However, popularity of minimal shoes has declined, largely due to research suggesting that adopting a forefoot-strike pattern does not decrease injury risk, improve running economy, or reduce the impact peak or loading rate of the vertical ground-reaction force.…”

Efetividade do drop na prevenção de lesão em corredores: revisão sistemática com metanálise

“…Os estudos incluídos nesta revisão tiveram algumas limitações que podem ter interferido nos resultados e que aumentaram a heterogeneidade. Por exemplo, os parcialmente minimalistas não possuíam altura padrão, que variou de 4 a 6mm, mesmo sendo válido afirmar que essa variação ainda os enquadra na definição de minimalista orientada por (COETZEE et al, 2018) e empregada neste estudo.…”

“…A indústria calçadista ligada ao esporte vem investindo vultosas somas no desenvolvimento de tênis para que possa aliar segurança, performance e, se possível, benefício na redução do risco de lesão. A tecnologia vem sendo empregada para o desenvolvimento de tênis com diversas prioridades: materiais para amortecimento, estabilidade ou controle de movimento ou mesmo o oposto disso, que seriam os tênis com design minimalista, mais leves, flexíveis e com diferença máxima de 7mm da altura entre o calcanhar e o antepé (salto ou drop) (COETZEE et al, 2018).…”

Influence of Minimalist Footwear in Middle and Long Distance Runners' Physical Fitness, Biomechanics, and Injury Incidence: A Systematic Review

“…Minimalist running is based on using minimalist footwear (MF) that mimics the supposedly beneficial biomechanics associated with barefoot running while still providing sufficient plantar protection (5). Further conceptualization has led to considering MF as a shoe with a highly flexible sole and upper that weighs 200 g or less, has a heel stack height of 20 mm or less, and a heel–toe differential of 7 mm or less (5).…”

“…inimalist running is based on using minimalist footwear (MF) that mimics the supposedly beneficial biomechanics associated with barefoot running while still providing sufficient plantar protection (5). Further conceptualization has led to considering MF as a shoe with a highly flexible sole and upper that weighs 200 g or less, has a heel stack height of 20 mm or less, and a heel-toe differential of 7 mm or less (5). Interestingly, the use of MF has arisen in a subgroup of middle (800-1,500 m) and long distance runners (.5,000 m) (3,15,30), who aim to perform physical exercise more naturally in an attempt to achieve benefits in joint health (e.g., knee and ankle) and running economy.…”