Long-term effects of habitual shod locomotion on walking and running biomechanics.

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Individual gait patterns can be influenced by internal and external factors. Good evidence exists for short-term effects of shod vs. barefoot walking and running, while long-term effects of (habitual) barefoot locomotion have not been intensively evaluated. A few studies report footwear to influence sagittal ankle kinematics with associated increased ground-reaction forces. Consequently, barefoot running has been discussed to be a possible preventive measure to reduce running-related injuries. However, no evidence has yet been documented for reduced injury rates by neither habitually barefoot nor habitually shod running. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate long-term effects of habitual barefoot vs. shod locomotion on walking and running biomechanics. The study will focus on differences of walking and running biomechanics (kinematics and kinetics) in runners habituated to barefoot running, running in minimalist footwear or running in conventional footwear.