Download PDF
CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Sports Med Int Open 2018; 02(02): E41-E45
DOI: 10.1055/a-0620-8039
Orthopedics & Biomechanics
Eigentümer und Copyright ©Georg Thieme Verlag KG 2018

Small Step Frequency Changes Due to Footwear Condition Have No Effect on Running Economy

Joe Warne
1   Institute of Technology Tallaght, Applied Science, Dublin, Ireland
3   Setanta College, Tipperary, Ireland
,
Kieran Andrew Moran
2   Dublin City University, School of Health and Human Performance, Dublin, Ireland
,
Giles D Warrington
3   University of Limerick Faculty of Education and Health Sciences, Education and Health Sciences, Limerick, Ireland
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 16 February 2018
revised  29 March 2018

accepted 15 April 2018

Publication Date:
16 May 2018 (online)

   Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine if small increases to step frequency associated with minimal footwear can influence Running Economy (RE). Twelve club-level runners with eight weeks of minimal footwear experience were recruited (age, 41±9 years; stature, 177.2±10.4 cm; body mass, 72.6±10.2 kg; V˙O2max, 52.1±7.5 mL·min−1·kg−1). Two 6-min RE tests, one in minimal footwear and one in conventional running shoes were performed at 11 km·h−1. Two more 6-min tests were completed during which step frequency was controlled using a metronome at the cadence of the opposite footwear condition (RErevSF). Comparisons were completed between the same footwear using repeated measures ANCOVA. The increase in step frequency for minimal footwear vs. conventional running shoes was 7.3±2.3 steps per minute (3.9% difference; 95% CI of difference [5.87 to 8.80 steps/min]; p≤0.001; Cohen’s d=0.70). No significant differences were identified between RE and RErevSF for minimal footwear (40.72±4.08 vs. 41.09±4.19 mL·min−1·kg−1; 95% CI of difference [–1.71 to 0.97]; p=0.55; Cohen’s d=0.09), or conventional running shoes (42.04±4.68 vs. 41.74±5.09 mL·min−1·kg−1; 95% CI of difference [–0.78 to 1.37]; p=0.55; Cohen’s d=0.06). Small changes in step frequency (~4%) did not have any significant impact on RE.

Key words

performance - footwear - running technique - cadence
 

  • References

  • 1 Altman AR, Davis IS. A kinematic method for footstrike pattern detection in barefoot and shod runners. Gait Posture 2012; 35: 298-300
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Arampatzis A. Influence of the muscle-tendon unit’s mechanical and morphological properties on running economy. J Exp Biol 2006; 209: 3345-3357
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Bellar D, Judge LW. Effect of training in minimalist footwear on oxygen consumption during walking and running. Biol Sport 2015; 32: 149-154
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Bonacci J, Saunders PU, Hicks A, Rantalainen T, Vicenzino B, Guglielmo T, Spratford W. Running in a minimalist and lightweight shoe is not the same as running barefoot: A biomechanical study. Br J Sports Med 2013; 47: 387-392
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Brooks GA, Fahey TD, White TP, Baldwin KM. Exercise Physiology: Human Bioenergetics and Its Applications. Sydney: McGraw-Hill; 2000
    Google Scholar
  • 6 Cavanagh PR, Williams KR. The effect of stride length on oxygen uptake during distance running. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1982; 14: 30-35
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Cheung RT, Ngai SP. Effects of footwear on running economy in distance runners: A meta-analytical review. J Sci Med Sport 2016; 19: 260-266
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Cohen J. Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences. 2nd ed. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Earlbaum Associates; 1988
    Google Scholar
  • 9 Concejero SJ, Granados C, Irazusta J, Letona BI, Lili ZJ, Tam N, Gil SM. Differences in ground contact time explain the less efficient running economy in North African runners. Biol Sport 2013; 30: 181-187
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Conley DL, Krahenbul GS. Running economy and distance running performance of highly trained athletes. Med Sci Sport Exerc 1980; 12: 357-360
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Connick MJ, Li FX. Changes in timing of muscle contractions and running economy with altered stride pattern during running. Gait Posture 2014; 39: 634-637
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Craighead DH, Lehecka N, King DL. A novel running mechanicʼs class changes kinematics but not running economy. J Strength Cond Res 2014; 28: 3137-3145
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Divert C, Mornieux G, Freychat P, Baly L, Mayer F, Belli A. Barefoot-shod running differences: Shoe or mass effect?. Int J Sports Med 2008; 29: 512-518
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Esculier JF, Dubois B, Dionne CE, Leblond J, Roy JS. A consensus definition and rating scale for minimalist shoes. J Foot Ankle Res 2015; 8: 42
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Franz JR, Wierzbinski CM, Kram R. Metabolic cost of running barefoot versus shod: Is lighter better?. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2012; 44: 1519-1525
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Gruber AH, Umberger BR, Braun B, Hamill J. Economy and rate of carbohydrate oxidation during running with rearfoot and forefoot strike patterns. J Appl Physiol 2013; 115: 194-201
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Hamill J, Derrick TR, Holt KG. Shock attenuation and stride frequency during running. Hum Mov Sci 1995; 14: 45-60
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 18 Harriss D, Macsween A, Atkinson G. Standards for ethics in sport and exercise science research: 2018 update. Int J Sports Med 2017; 38: 1126-1131
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Hatala KG, Dingwall HL, Wunderlich RE, Richmond BG. Variation in foot strike patterns during running among habitually barefoot populations. PLoS One 2013; 8: 4-9
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 Heinert LD, Serfass RC, Stull GA. Effect of stride length variation on oxygen uptake during level and positive grade treadmill running. Res Q Exerc Sport 1988; 59: 127-150
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Hryvniak D, Dicharry J, Wilder R. Barefoot running survey: Evidence from the field. J Sport Heal Sci 2014; 3: 131-136
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 Kyrolainen H, Belli A, Komi PV. Biomechanical factors affecting running economy. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2001; 33: 1330-1337
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 23 Lucia A, Esteve-Lanao J, Oliván J, Gómez-Gallego F, San Juan AF, Santiago C, Pérez M, Chamorro-Viña C, Foster C. Physiological characteristics of the best Eritrean runners—exceptional running economy. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 2006; 31: 530-540
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 24 Lussiana T, Fabre N, Hébert-Losier K, Mourot L. Effect of slope and footwear on running economy and kinematics. Scand J Med Sci Sport 2013; 23: 246-253
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 25 Jones M, Jonathan H, Doust A. A 1% treadmill grade most accurately reflects the energetic cost of outdoor running. J Sports Sci 1996; 14: 321-327
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 26 Messier SP, Cirillo KJ. Effects of a verbal and visual feedback system on running technique, perceived exertion and running economy in female novice runners. J Sports Sci 1989; 7: 113-126
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 27 Moore IS. Is there an economical running technique? A review of modifiable biomechanical factors affecting running economy. Sport Med 2016; 46: 793-807
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 28 Moore IS, Jones A, Dixon S. The pursuit of improved running performance: Can changes in cushioning and somatosensory feedback influence running economy and injury risk?. Footwear Sci 2014; 6: 1-11
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 29 Morgan D, Martin P, Craib M, Caruso C, Clifton R, Hopewell R. Effect of step length optimization on the aerobic demand of running. J Appl Physiol 1994; 77: 245-251
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 30 Nigg B, Enders H. Barefoot running – some critical considerations. Footwear Sci 2013; 5: 1-7
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 31 Perl DP, Daoud AI, Lieberman DE. Effects of footwear and strike type on running economy. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2012; 44: 1335-1343
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 32 Ridge ST, Standifird T, Rivera J, Wayne Johnson A, Mitchell U, Hunter I. The effect of training in minimalist running shoes on running economy. J Sport Sci Med 2015; 14: 643-647
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 33 Rothschild C. Running barefoot or in minimalist shoes. Strength Cond J 2012; 34: 8-17
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 34 Saunders PU, Pyne DB, Telford RD, Hawley JA. Reliability and variability of running economy in elite distance runners. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2004; 36: 1972-1976
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 35 Schumacher YO. Commentary on “The key to top-level endurance running performance: a unique example”. Br J Sports Med 2008; 42: 174-174
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 36 Sobhani S, Bredeweg S, Dekker R, Kluitenberg B, van den Heuvel E, Hijmans J, Postema K. Rocker shoe, minimalist shoe, and standard running shoe: A comparison of running economy. J Sci Med Sport 2014; 17: 312-316
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 37 Squadrone R, Rodano R, Hamill J, Preatoni E. Acute effect of different minimalist shoes on foot strike pattern and kinematics in rearfoot strikers during running. J Sports Sci 2015; 33: 1196-1204
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 38 Svedahl K, MacIntosh BR. Anaerobic threshold: The concept and methods of measurement. Can J Appl Physiol 2003; 28: 299-323
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 39 Tanji F, Shirai Y, Tsuji T, Shimazu W, Nabekura Y. Relation between 1,500-m running performance and running economy during high-intensity running in well-trained distance runners. J Phys Fit Sport Med 2017; 6: 41-48
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 40 Tartaruga MP, Brisswalter J, Peyré-Tartaruga LA, Ávila AOV, Alberton CL, Coertjens M, Cadore EL, Tiggemann CL, Silva EM, Kruel LFM. The relationship between running economy and biomechanical variables in distance runners. Res Q Exerc Sport 2012; 83: 367-375
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 41 Warne JP, Kilduff SM, Gregan BC, Nevill AM, Moran KA, Warrington GD. A 4-week instructed minimalist running transition and gait-retraining changes plantar pressure and force. Scand J Med Sci Sport 2014; 24: 964-973
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 42 Warne JP, Moran KA, Warrington GD. Eight weeks gait retraining in minimalist footwear has no effect on running economy. Hum Mov Sci 2015; 42: 183-192
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 43 Warne JP, Warrington GD. Four-week habituation to simulated barefoot running improves running economy when compared with shod running. Scand J Med Sci Sport 2014; 24: 563-568
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 44 Williams KR, Cavanagh PR. Relationship between distance running mechanics, running economy, and performance. J Appl Physiol 1987; 63: 1236-1245
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar