Iman Akef Khowailed
College of Health and Human Services, Touro University Nevada.
Title: 6 Weeks Habituation of Simulated Barefoot Running Induces Neuromuscular Adaptations and Changes in Foot-Strike Patterns in Female Runners
Biography
Biography: Iman Akef Khowailed
Abstract
Background: To examine the effects of 6 weeks training program of simulated barefoot running (SBR) on running kinetics in habitually shod female recreational runners.
Material and Methods: 12 female runners age 25.7± 3.4 years gradually increased running distance in Vibram Five fingers over 6 weeks. The kinetic analysis of treadmill running at 10Km/h was performed pre and post intervention in shod running, non-habituated SBR and habituated SBR conditions. Spatiotemporal parameters, ground reaction force components and Electromyography (EMG) were measured in all conditions.
Results: Post intervention data indicated a significant decrease across time in the habituation SBR for EMG activity of the tibialis anterior (TA) in the preactivation and absorptive phase of running (P<0.001). A significant increase was denoted in the preactivation amplitude of the gastrocnemius (GAS) between the shod running, unhabituated SBR and Habituated SBR. 6 weeks of SBR was associated with a significant decrease in the loading rates and impact forces. Additionally, SBR significantly decrease the stride length, step duration, flight time whilst stride frequency was significantly higher compared to shod running.
Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that changes in motor patterns in previously habitually shod runners are possible and can be accomplished within 6 weeks. Non habituation SBR didnt showed a significant neuromuscular adaptation in the EMG activity of TA & GAS as manifested after 6 weeks of habituated SBR.