Summary

There is no evidence that neither confirms nor refutes improved performance and reduced injuries in barefoot runners.

Abstract

Introduction

Despite the technological developments in modern running footwear, up to 79% of runners today get injured in a given year. Running barefoot is not a new concept; yet relatively few people choose to run barefoot (BF) on a regular basis. While benefits have been suggested, there are potential risks associated with running BF. The purpose of this presentation is to identify and summarize the up-to-date evidence-based knowledge concerning barefoot/minimal footwear running and their implications.

Methods

A literature search of MEDLINE, PEDro, EMBASE and the Cochrane data base CINAHL (from their inception – May 2022) was conducted using the following search terms: "barefoot running" and "barefoot running biomechanics".

Results

84 relevant articles were found. Most were reviews, biomechanical and kinematic studies.

Conclusion

The studies that have looked at the barefoot condition have found notable differences in gait and other parameters. These findings, along with much anecdotal information, can lead one to extrapolate that barefoot runners should have fewer injuries, better performance, or both. Several athletic shoe companies have designed running shoes that attempt to mimic the barefoot condition and, thus, garner the purported benefits of barefoot running. There is no evidence that neither confirms nor refutes improved performance and reduced injuries in barefoot runners.