Minimalist style boot improves running but not walking economy in trained men

摘要

This study examined movement economy under load with 1000 g minimalist (MIN) vs. 1600 g traditional (TRD) style boots. Fourteen trained, male participants completed a VO(2peak)test (46.6 +/- 7.3 ml/kg/min) while wearing a 16 kg external load. Treadmill speeds for the running economy (RE) trials were determined by the slowest pace in which participants completed a full stage with a running gait pattern during the VO(2peak)test. Walking economy (WE) pace was 1.6 km/h slower than RE pace. During the second session, participants completed 5-min exercise bouts at WE and RE pace under load wearing MIN and TRD. There were no differences for any measured variables during WE trials. In contrast, RE (MIN = 2.95 +/- 0.28 vs. TRD = 3.04 +/- 0.30 L/min;p = .003: Cohen'sd = 0.32), respiratory exchange ratio (p .001), and perceptual measures (p .05) were all improved while wearing MIN. Practitioner summary:In trained men, 1000 g/pair minimalist style boots (MIN) resulted in improvements of approximately 3% and 5% for running economy and respiratory exchange ratio versus 1600 g/pair traditional boots while wearing a 16 kg kit. Perceptual responses, including comfort, also favoured MIN. These effects were not found at walking pace.