Minimalist, standard and no footwear on static and dynamic postural stability following jump landing

Abstract

In recreational sports, uncushioned, light-weight and minimalist shoes are increasingly used to imitate barefoot situations. Uncertainty exists whether these shoes provide sufficient stability during challenging movements. In this randomised crossover study, 35 healthy distance runners performed jump landing stabilisation and single-leg stance tests on a force plate, using four conditions in random order: barefoot, uncushioned minimalist shoes, cushioned ultraflexible shoes and standard running shoes. Ground reaction force (GRF) and centre of pressure (COP) data were used to determine unilateral jump landing stabilisation time and COP sway velocity during single-leg stance. Repeated measures analysis of variance revealed significant footwear interactions for medial-lateral (p < 0.001) and anterior-posterior COP sway velocity during standing (p < 0.001). The barefoot condition produced significantly greater postural sway velocities (p < 0.001) compared to all footwear conditions. No significant effects were found for jump landing stabilisation time. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that increased shoe flexibility and reduced sole support have no, or only minor influence on static and dynamic postural control, and therefore, may not increase the risk of traumatic events during sports activities. However, barefoot conditions should be considered carefully when adequate postural control is needed.

Effect of Footwear on Dynamic Stability during Single-leg Jump Landings

“…Prior to this study, only one other study had examined the influence of different types of running footwear on dynamic stability. In that study Zech, et al found no effect of footwear on dynamic postural stability during single-leg landings [33]. One potential reason for the difference between our findings and those reported by Zech, et al may be due to the dynamic stability measure used.…”

“…These baseline values are reported to have a propensity to be influenced by group differences in postural sway during quiet standing creating unequal group comparisons [29]. This poses a problem for Zech, et al who reported significant differences in postural sway during quiet standing among footwear conditions [33]. It is possible that the differences in postural sway during quiet standing reported by Zech, et al could have impacted their ability to find significant differences for dynamic stability utilizing the TTS measure.…”

“…These findings suggest that utilizing minimal or no footwear can improve dynamic stability in dancers. In contrast, Zech, et al found no significant effects of running footwear on time to stabilization during single-leg jump landings [33]. However, they only measured time to stabilization in the mediolateral and anteroposterior directions [33].…”

“…In contrast, Zech, et al found no significant effects of running footwear on time to stabilization during single-leg jump landings [33]. However, they only measured time to stabilization in the mediolateral and anteroposterior directions [33]. The dynamic postural stability index (DPSI), utilized by Wyon, et al, provides a measure of dynamic stability that is sensitive to movements in all 3 directions [27].…”

“…In part, the increase in popularity is likely due to the benefits of minimal and barefoot running reported by several researchers. Some of the reported benefits of wearing minimal or no footwear include increased vertical jump height [14], increased running economy [1,8], improved static balance [33], improved Achilles tendon stiffness and size [12] and greater dynamic stability [31]. In addition to benefits to performance, advocates of wearing minimal or no footwear during exercise claim that injuries may be reduced when running or jumping in little or no footwear.…”