How many barefoot / minimal runners heel strike?

Craig Payne · Apr 25, 2014

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Even this surprised me:
20% of barefoot runners heel strike
47% of minimally shod runners heel strike

...who would have thought it was that high? :drinks

I blogged about it here and here is the abstract:

Comparison of foot strike patterns of barefoot and minimally shod runners in a recreational road race
Peter Larson
Journal of Sport and Health Science; In Press

Background
Previous studies of foot strike patterns of distance runners in road races have typically found that the overwhelming majority of shod runners initially contact the ground on the rearfoot. However, none of these studies has attempted to quantify foot strike patterns of barefoot or minimally shod runners. This study classifies foot strike patterns of barefoot and minimally shod runners in a recreational road race.
Methods
High-speed video footage was obtained of 169 barefoot and 42 minimally shod distance runners at the 2011 New York City Barefoot Run. Foot strike patterns were classified for each runner, and frequencies of forefoot, midfoot, and rearfoot striking were compared between the barefoot and minimally shod groups.
Results
A total of 59.2% of barefoot runners were forefoot strikers, 20.1% were midfoot strikers, and 20.7% were rearfoot strikers. For minimally shod runners, 33.3% were forefoot strikers, 19.1% were midfoot strikers, and 47.6% were rearfoot strikers. Foot strike distributions for barefoot and minimally shod runners were significantly different both from one another and from previously reported foot strike distributions of shod road racers.
Conclusion
Foot strike patterns differ between barefoot and minimally shod runners, with forefoot striking being more common, and rearfoot striking less common in the barefoot group.
Click to expand...

Admin2 · Apr 25, 2014

Related Threads:
Barefoot/minimalism running biomechanics
Foot-Strike Pattern and Performance in a Marathon
How many heel strikers in the top 100 finishers in the New York Marathon?
Heel-Striking Running is More Energy Efficient Than Midfoot-Striking Running
Footstrike and Running Form Controversies: What Does the Scientific Evidence Tell Us?
Reference Needed on Change in Footstrike Pattern with Different Running Speeds
Foot Strike and Injury Rates in Endurance Runners: a retrospective study
Is the foot striking pattern more important than barefoot or shod conditions in running?
Impact parameters were significantly greater in the barefoot running
Impact frequency data suggest unique risks for forefoot strikers
Foot Bone Marrow Edema after 10-week Transition to Minimalist Running Shoes
Running economy in shoes vs barefoot
Effects of barefoot, minimal shoes and running shoes on lower limb mechanics in rear and forefoot strike runners
Variation in Foot Strike Patterns during Running among Habitually Barefoot Populations
Barefoot running is not the same as running in minimalist shoes
Footfall patterns during barefoot running on harder and softer surfaces
Changes in lower extremity movement and power absorption during forefoot striking and barefoot running

NewsBot · Apr 29, 2014

Strike type variation among Tarahumara Indians in minimal sandals versus conventional running shoes
Daniel E. Lieberman
Journal of Sport and Health Science; Available online 24 April 2014

Purpose
This study examined variation in foot strike types, lower extremity kinematics, and arch height and stiffness among Tarahumara Indians from the Sierra Tarahumara, Mexico.
Methods
High speed video was used to study the kinematics of 23 individuals, 13 who habitually wear traditional minimal running sandals (huaraches), and 10 who habitually wear modern, conventional running shoes with elevated, cushioned heels and arch support. Measurements of foot shape and arch stiffness were taken on these individuals plus an additional sample of 12 individuals.
Results
Minimally shod Tarahumara exhibit much variation with 40% primarily using midfoot strikes, 30% primarily using forefoot strikes, and 30% primarily using rearfoot strikes. In contrast, 75% of the conventionally shod Tarahumara primarily used rearfoot strikes, and 25% primarily used midfoot strikes. Individuals who used forefoot or midfoot strikes landed with significantly more plantarflexed ankles, flexed knees, and flexed hips than runners who used rearfoot strikes. Foot measurements indicate that conventionally shod Tarahumara also have significantly less stiff arches than those wearing minimal shoes.
Conclusion
These data reinforce earlier studies that there is variation among foot strike patterns among minimally shod runners, but also support the hypothesis that foot stiffness and important aspects of running form, including foot strike, differ between runners who grow up using minimal versus modern, conventional footwear.
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