Int J Sports Med 2016; 37(02): 154-158
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1559685
Orthopedics & Biomechanics
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The Effects of a Transition to Minimalist Shoe Running on Intrinsic Foot Muscle Size

A. W. Johnson
1   Department of Exercise Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, United States
,
J. W. Myrer
1   Department of Exercise Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, United States
,
U. H. Mitchell
1   Department of Exercise Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, United States
,
I. Hunter
2   Exercise Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, United States
,
S. T. Ridge
1   Department of Exercise Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, United States
› Institutsangaben
Weitere Informationen

Publikationsverlauf



accepted after revision 27. Juli 2015

Publikationsdatum:
28. Oktober 2015 (online)

Abstract

A proposed benefit of minimalist shoe running is an increase in intrinsic foot muscle strength. This study examined change in intrinsic foot muscle size in runners transitioning to Vibram FiveFingers™ minimalist shoes compared to a control group running in traditional running shoes. We compare pre-transition size between runners who developed bone marrow edema to those who did not. 37 runners were randomly assigned to the Vibram FiveFingers™ group (n=18) or control group (n=19). Runners’ bone marrow edema and intrinsic foot muscle size were measured at baseline and after 10 weeks. Total running volume was maintained by all runners. A significant increase in abductor hallucis cross-sectional area of 10.6% occurred in the Vibram FiveFingers™ group compared to the control group (p=0.01). There was no significant change in any of the other muscles examined (p>0.05). 8 of the Vibram FiveFingers™ runners, and 1 control runner developed bone marrow edema. Those who developed bone marrow edema, primarily women, had significantly smaller size in all assessed muscles (p≤0.05). Size of intrinsic foot muscles appears to be important in safely transitioning to minimalist shoe running. Perhaps intrinsic foot muscle strengthening may benefit runners wanting to transition to minimalist shoes.

 
  • References

  • 1 Ansede G, Lee JC, Healy JC. Musculoskeletal sonography of the normal foot. Skeletal Radiol 2010; 39: 225-242
  • 2 Busseuil C, Freychat P, Guedj EB, Lacour JR. Rearfoot-forefoot orientation and traumatic risk for runners. Foot Ankle Int 1998; 19: 32-37
  • 3 Cameron AF, Rome K, Hing WA. Ultrasound evaluation of the abductor hallucis muscle: Reliability study. J Foot Ankle Res 2008; 1: 12
  • 4 Crofts G, Angin S, Mickle KJ, Hill S, Nester CJ. Reliability of ultrasound for measurement of selected foot structures. Gait Posture 2014; 39: 35-39
  • 5 Erickson SJ. Sonography of the foot and ankle. Foot Ankle Clin 2000; 5: 29-48 v
  • 6 Fiolkowski P, Brunt D, Bishop M, Woo R, Horodyski M. Intrinsic pedal musculature support of the medial longitudinal arch: an electromyography study. J Foot Ankle Surg 2003; 42: 327-333
  • 7 Harriss DJ, Atkinson G. Ethical standards in sport and exercise science research: 2014 update. Int J Sports Med 2013; 34: 1025-1028
  • 8 Jenkins DW, Cauthon DJ. Barefoot running claims and controversies: a review of the literature. J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 2011; 101: 231-246
  • 9 Kadambande S, Khurana A, Debnath U, Bansal M, Hariharan K. Compartive anthropometric analysis of shod and unshod feet. The Foot 2006; 16
  • 10 Kura H, Luo ZP, Kitaoka HB, An KN. Quantitative analysis of the intrinsic muscles of the foot. Anat Rec 1997; 249: 143-151
  • 11 Lazzarini KM, Troiano RN, Smith RC. Can running cause the appearance of marrow edema on MR images of the foot and ankle?. Radiology 1997; 202: 540-542
  • 12 Lieberman DE. What we can learn about running from barefoot running: an evolutionary medical perspective. Exerc Sport Sci Rev 2012; 40: 63-72
  • 13 Lieberman DE, Venkadesan M, Werbel WA, Daoud AI, D’Andrea S, Davis IS, Mang’eni RO, Pitsiladis Y. Foot strike patterns and collision forces in habitually barefoot versus shod runners. Nature 2010; 463: 531-535
  • 14 Mickle KJ, Nester CJ, Crofts G, Steele JR. Reliability of ultrasound to measure morphology of the toe flexor muscles. J Foot Ankle Res 2013; 6: 12
  • 15 Miller EE, Whitcome KK, Lieberman DE, Norton HL, Dyer RE. The effect of minimal shoes on arch structure and intrinsic foot muscle strength. J Sport Health Sci 2014; 3: 74-85
  • 16 Perkins HM, Bond EA, Thompson J, Woods EC, Smith C. Realtime ultrasound: an objective mearsure of skeletal muscle. Phys Ther Rev 2003; 8: 99-108
  • 17 Pohl MB, Hamill J, Davis IS. Biomechanical and anatomic factors associated with a history of plantar fasciitis in female runners. Clin J Sports Med 2009; 19: 372-376
  • 18 Rao UB, Joseph B. The influence of footwear on the prevalence of flat foot. A survey of 2300 children. J Bone Joint Surg Br 1992; 74: 525-527
  • 19 Reeser LA, Susman RL, Stern Jr JT. Electromyographic studies of the human foot: experimental approaches to hominid evolution. Foot Ankle 1983; 3: 391-407
  • 20 Reimers CD, Finkenstaedt M. Muscle imaging in inflammatory myopathies. Curr Opin Rheumatol 1997; 9: 475-485
  • 21 Ridge ST, Johnson AW, Mitchell UH, Hunter I, Robinson E, Rich BS, Brown SD. Foot bone marrow edema after a 10-wk transition to minimalist running shoes. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2013; 45: 1363-1368
  • 22 Rolian C, Lieberman DE, Hamill J, Scott JW, Werbel W. Walking running and the evolution of short toes in humans. J Exp Biol 2009; 212: 713-721
  • 23 Rothschild CE. Primitive running: a survey analysis of runners’ interest, participation, and implementation. J Strength Cond Res 2012; 26: 2021-2026
  • 24 Willems TM, Witvrouw E, De Cock A, De Clercq D. Gait-related risk factors for exercise-related lower-leg pain during shod running. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2007; 39: 330-339
  • 25 Williams 3rd DS, McClay IS, Hamill J. Arch structure and injury patterns in runners. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) 2001; 16: 341-347
  • 26 Wong YS. Influence of the abductor hallucis muscle on the medial arch of the foot: a kinematic and anatomical cadaver study. Foot Ankle Int 2007; 28: 617-620