Does it reduce the potential of lower extremity injury during the
Author
Margetts, Carys
Date
2014Type
Thesis
Publisher
Cardiff Metropolitan University
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Background: Long distance running has become one of the most popular recreational
activities. This has, however, led to an increase in running related injuries. Methods have
been developed to help reduce the risk of injury; one of these methods has been the
progression of barefoot running. A current interest is the mechanical and force generation
differences between barefoot and shod running, both variables have been researched
previously but this investigation will look at the current results and attempt to further
previous research, to provide a significant answer for the associations with the reduction of
overuse injuries in running. Aim: The aim of this study is to develop biomechanical
understanding of barefoot running, looking at the relationship between barefoot running,
injury and performance. This study will achieve its aim by examining the variables, force
generation and mechanical differences which may occur between barefoot and shod
conditions. Methods: Ten participants aged 18-25, all injury free, were used during this
investigation. Ethical approval and informed consent were gained before the study
commenced. Participants were marked up with 5 active coda motion markers along the left
sagittal plane of the lower extremity. They ran over a 25m distance three times with
footwear and three times without footwear. A single CODA motion Cx1 unit, two Kistler
force plates and a single non-calibrated camera were used along with the active markers
to collect the kinetic and kinematic data. The outcome data was filtered to reduce noise,
using residual analysis. Data from the outcome results allowed the calculation of root
mean squared difference (%) in order to discover the percentage difference between
variables. A normality test was conducted followed by a paired sample t-test to discover a
significant difference between results. Results: The foot placement difference identified
that when running barefoot, a fore foot strike is mainly adopted compared a rear foot strike
when running in shod. The kinetic data shows mainly similarities between the two
conditions, with a few significant differences found. Conclusion: findings from this study
confirm the differences in foot placement discovered in previous research but there was
also several similarities found through kinetic data, proving that wearing footwear while
running doesn’t reduce the force and impact absorbed by the lower extremity. The
reduction in injury rates cannot be confirmed as they were not fully investigated, but the
knowledge of the force and impact can be used to relate to a method of reducing injuries,
providing a chance for future research.
Description
DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS)
SPORTS CONDITIONING, REHABILITATION AND
MASSAGE
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