Improving Running Economy by Transitioning to Minimalist Footwear: A Randomised Controlled Trial

摘要

ObjectivesOngoing debates about benefits and risks of barefoot- and minimally-shod running have, to date, revealed no conclusive findings for long-term effects on physical performance. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an 8-week transition to minimalist footwear (MFW) on running economy (RE). DesignRandomised controlled trial. MethodsThirty-two male, habitually-shod runners were assigned randomly to an 8-week training intervention either in minimalist (=intervention group) or conventional running shoes (=control group). The intervention consisted of a gradual increase in use of the new footwear by 5% of the individual weekly distance. Before and after the intervention, a VO2max test was followed by a submaximal RE test at 70% and 80% of vVO2max in both shoe conditions 7days later. RE was measured at the submaximal tests and expressed as caloric unit cost (kcalkg?1km?1) and oxygen consumption (mlkg?1km?1). ResultsRE improved in the intervention group over time compared to the control group with small to moderate effect sizes (ES) in both shoe conditions: Effects on RE (kcalkg?1km?1) in conventional running shoes: ES vVO270%: 0.68 (95% CI: ?0.14 to 1.51), ES vVO280%: 0.78 (95% CI: 0–1.56). In minimalist footwear: ES vVO270%: 0.3 (95% CI: ?0.54 to 1.14), ES vVO280%: 0.42 (95% CI: ?0.41 to 1.25). These effects were not statistically significant (p>0.05). The repeated-measures ANOVA also showed no group by time interactions for all submaximal RE testing conditions (p>0.05). ConclusionsAlthough not reaching statistical significance, training in MFW compared to CRS resulted in small to moderate improvements in RE.