Do Strike Patterns or Shoe Conditions Have a Predominant Influence on Foot Loading?

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the effects of strike patterns and shoe conditions on foot loading during running. Twelve male runners were required to run under shoe (SR) and barefoot conditions (BR) with forefoot (FFS) and rearfoot strike patterns (RFS). Kistler force plates and the Medilogic insole plantar pressure system were used to collect kinetic data. SR with RFS significantly reduced the maximum loading rate, whereas SR with FFS significantly increased the maximum push-off force compared to BR. Plantar pressure variables were more influenced by the strike patterns (15 out of 18 variables) than shoe conditions (7 out of 18 variables). The peak pressure of midfoot and heel regions was significantly increased in RFS, but appeared in a later time compared to FFS. The influence of strike patterns on running, particularly on plantar pressure characteristics, was more significant than that of shoe conditions. Heel-toe running caused a significant impact force on the heel, whereas wearing cushioned shoes significantly reduced the maximum loading rate. FFS running can prevent the impact caused by RFS. However, peak plantar pressure was centered at the forefoot for a long period, thereby inducing a potential risk of injury in the metatarsus/phalanx.

Plantar Loads of Habitual Forefoot Strikers during Running on Different Overground Surfaces

“…Direct comparison with other studies was unreasonable, as there were few studies on plantar loads with forefoot strike pattern. Although the participants performed running on a forefoot strike pattern and significant difference of PTI in forefoot area was also found in a previous study [31], the participants ran with regular rearfoot strike pattern before participating in the trail. In a previous study, significantly different plantar loads were presented on the lateral and central forefoot [23].…”

“…It has been shown previously that running on different overground surfaces produces significant differences in plantar loads [14,23,31]. However, the participants in these previous studies were rearfoot strikers, which has larger plantar loads during the stance phase when compared with forefoot strike pattern.…”

Patellofemoral Joint Loads during Running Immediately Changed by Shoes with Different Minimalist Indices: A Cross-sectional Study

“…In previous studies, subjects were recruited regardless of their foot strike patterns and researchers failed to rule out runners who had experience with wearing minimalist shoes [13]. More than 70% of long-distance runners adopt the heel strike pattern [24,25].…”

“…Running speed was monitored by the use of a Witty-Manual grating timing system (Micro gate, Italy) positioned 4 m apart along a 20 m runway. Meanwhile, the participants were required to run back and forth until three successful steps (trials) in which the foot of the dominant lower extremity (defined as preferred kicking leg [13]) was completely on the force plate were collected for each shoe condition. Each trial that met the following criteria was deemed successful: 1) The speed was 3.33 m/s (±5%) within the capture volume; 2) no relative sliding occurred between the shoes and the force plate.…”

Evidence of variable performance responses to the Nike 4% shoe: Definitely not a game-changer for all recreational runners

“…runners per group would be needed to detect a significant difference (α = 5%) in response to footwear between non-rearfoot and rearfoot strikers with 80% power (β = 20%). The potential for greater benefits of NIKE in rearfoot strikers might be due to the greater compression of the midsole at the heel region [32] where the amount of ZoomX foam is the greatest, as well as the evidenced -albeit limited -greater vertical loading rates and impact peaks of rearfoot strikers [33]. Research specifically examining responses to NIKE footwear based on footstrike pattern is warranted to elucidate the interaction between footstrike characteristics and the performance enhancing effects of footwear.…”