Background

The acute changes of running biomechanics in habitually shod children when running barefoot have been demonstrated. However, the long-term effects of barefoot running on sprinting biomechanics in children is not well understood.

Research question

How does four years of participation in a daily school barefoot running program influence sprint biomechanics and stretch-shortening cycle jump ability in children?

Methods

One hundred and one children from barefoot education school (age, 11.2 ± 0.7 years-old) and 93 children from a control school (age, 11.1 ± 0.7 years-old) performed 50 m maximal shod and barefoot sprints and counter movement jump and five repeated-rebound jumping. To analyse sprint kinematics, a high-speed camera (240 fps) was used. In addition, foot strike patterns were evaluated by using three high-speed cameras (300 fps). Jump heights for both jump types and the contact times for the rebound jump were measured using a contact mat system. Two-way mixed ANOVA was used to examine the effect of school factor (barefoot education school vs control school) and footwear factor (barefoot vs shod) on the sprinting biomechanics.

Results

Sprinting biomechanics in barefoot education school children was characterised by significantly shorter contact times (p = 0.003) and longer flight times (p = 0.005) compared to control school children regardless of footwear condition. In shod sprinting, a greater proportion of barefoot education school children sprinted with a fore-foot or mid-foot strike compared to control school children (p < 0.001). Barefoot education school children also had a significantly higher rebound jump height (p = 0.002) and shorter contact time than control school children (p = 0.001).

Significance

The results suggest that school-based barefoot running programs may improve aspects of sprint biomechanics and develop the fast stretch-shortening cycle ability in children. In order to confirm this viewpoint, adequately powered randomised controlled trials should be conducted.

中文翻译：

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赤脚学校跑步计划对儿童冲刺生物力学的长期影响：病例对照研究

背景

已经证明了在赤脚跑步的习惯性厌倦儿童中跑步生物力学的剧烈变化。但是，赤脚跑步对儿童冲刺生物力学的长期影响尚不清楚。

研究问题

参加日常学校赤足跑步计划的四年如何影响儿童的短跑生物力学和缩短周期的跳跃能力？

方法

一百一十一名赤脚教育学校的孩子（11.2±0.7岁）和一九十三名对照学校的孩子（11.1±0.7岁）进行了50 m的最大手掌和赤脚冲刺，反跳动作和五次反复反弹跳。为了分析冲刺运动学，使用了高速相机（240 fps）。另外，通过使用三个高速相机（300 fps）评估了脚部撞击的模式。使用接触垫系统测量两种跳跃类型的跳跃高度和反弹跳跃的接触时间。双向混合方差分析用于检验学校因素（赤脚教育学校vs对照学校）和鞋类因素（赤脚vs穿鞋）对短跑生物力学的影响。

结果

不论鞋类状况如何，与对照组学生相比，赤脚教育型学童的短跑生物力学的特点是接触时间（p = 0.003）和飞行时间（p = 0.005）明显缩短。在短跑冲刺中，与控制小学生相比，赤脚教育小学生冲刺前脚或中脚的速度更大（p <0.001）。与对照组的学龄儿童相比，赤脚教育学龄儿童的回弹跳高（p = 0.002）和接触时间短得多（p = 0.001）。

意义

结果表明，基于学校的赤脚跑步计划可能会改善短跑生物力学的各个方面，并发展儿童的快速伸展-缩短周期能力。为了证实这一观点，应该进行足够有力的随机对照试验。