Conceptualizing minimalist footwear: an objective definition

NewsBot · Jul 8, 2017

Members do not see these Ads. Sign Up.
Conceptualizing minimalist footwear: an objective definition
Devon R. Coetzee, Yumna Albertus, Nicholas Tam & Ross Tucker
Journal of Sports Sciences 07 Jul 2017

Running has been plagued with an alarmingly high incidence of injury, which has resulted in the exploration of interventions aimed at reducing the risk of running-related injury. One such intervention is the introduction of footwear that mimics barefoot running. These have been termed minimalist shoes.

Minimalist footwear aims to reduce the risk of injury by promoting adaptations in running biomechanics that have been linked to a reduction in both impact and joint forces. However, some studies have found that minimalist footwear may be beneficial to the runner as they promote favourable biomechanical adaptations, whilst other studies have found the opposite to be true.

Reasons for these conflicting results could be attributed to the lack of a definition for minimalist footwear. The aim of this review article is to provide a structural definition for minimalist footwear based on studies that have examined the influence of footwear on biomechanical variables during running.

Based on current literature, we define minimalist footwear as a shoe with a highly flexible sole and upper that weighs 200g or less, has a heel stack height of 20mm or less and a heel-toe differential of 7mm or less.
Click to expand...

Craig Payne · Jul 8, 2017

A lot of people are going to disagree on the definition that they come up with:
"Based on current literature, we define minimalist footwear as a shoe with a highly flexible sole and upper that weighs 200g or less, has a heel stack height of 20mm or less and a heel-toe differential of 7mm or less."

All those design features exist on a continuum --> there really can be no definition.
Of the 4 criteria they use in that definition, the maximalist Hoka meets one of them and a couple of their new upcoming models will meet 2 of them

I don't know what they think is wrong with the proposed Minimalist Index which classifies shoes in their minimalist features on a continuum ... and for some reason the above authors did not even reference...

more on Minimalist Index: https://podiatryarena.com/index.php?threads/definition-and-rating-scale-for-minimalist-shoes.103884/

William Fowler · Jul 10, 2017

That is a very questionable conclusion.
If you were to take that definition to a barefoot running or minimalist forum or Facebook group, they would laugh at it.

NewsBot · Oct 23, 2018

Construction and finite element analysis of a coupled finite element model of foot and barefoot running footwear
Yuhua Li, KF Leong, Yaodong Gu,
Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part P: Journal of Sports Engineering and Technology
Institution of Mechanical Engineers October 17, 2018

Running in barefoot running footwear has gained popularity among both amateur and professional runners in recent times. To date, few studies have been performed using coupled finite element model of foot and barefoot running footwear. The objective of this study was to investigate the differences in peak plantar pressure during landing in the weight-bearing period between the finite element model of a barefoot and coupled finite element model of foot and barefoot running footwear. The stress distributions and concentrations in the forefoot region for simulations of different loadings to the foot and shoe were also investigated in the coupled model through different applied loadings. The finite element analysis showed that the coupled model had better pressure distribution and less peak plantar pressure than the barefoot model. The materials and thickness of the midsole were important factors in optimizing the outcome to reduce the plantar pressure and improve pressure distribution. The results presented in this study have the potential to be used as beneficial guidelines to improve the design of barefoot running footwear, while reducing the need for laborious experimental biomechanical investigations.
Click to expand...

NewsBot · Jun 21, 2021

Stepping Back to Minimal Footwear
Applications across the Lifespan
Davis, Irene S. PhD, PT et al
Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews: June 5, 2021

Minimal footwear has existed for tens of thousands of years and was originally designed to protect the sole of the foot. Over the past 50 years, most footwear has become increasingly more cushioned and supportive. Here we review evidence that minimal shoes are a better match to our feet which may result in a lower risk of musculoskeletal injury.
Click to expand...

NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

Craig Payne Moderator

William Fowler Active Member

NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

Effects of wearing minimalist shoes on a child’s foot strength

Hallux Valgus Foot Following a 12-week Minimalist Footwear Intervention

Walking in minimalist shoes to strengthen the foot muscles

Minimalist running shoes for hallux valgus

Have minimalist shoes gone too far?

Minimalist footwear for the military

Minimalist running shoes now only make up 0.3% of the market

Share This Page