Biomechanical Efficiency and Metabolic Economy: Vibram Five Fingers Versus Conventional Running Shoes
Year: 2012
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Minimalist running shoes like Vibram Five Fingers have flooded the market and \nshoe companies claim that they may improve biomechanical efficiency and metabolic \neconomy when compared with conventional running shoes. PURPOSE: To test claims \nmade by Vibram that running in their Five Finger (VS) shoes improves biomechanical \nefficiency and metabolic economy when compared to running in conventional shoes \n(CS). METHODS: Ten trained runners (18-35 yrs) completed a randomized, continuous \ntreadmill running protocol in each footwear type. VO2 measurements were continuously \ncollected during three submaximal stages. Each stage was five minutes in duration (6, 7.5 \n& 9 mi/hr) with three-minute walking recoveries between each stage in order to ensure \nsteady state VO2. Saggital plane kinematic data were collected at 210 Hz using a highspeed \nvideo camera. Kinematic data were analyzed using KA PRO 7 kinematic analysis \nsoftware. VO2 data from CS and VS shoe conditions were compared using repeated \nmeasures ANOVA. Differences between spatiotemporal and kinematic variables across \nconditions were analyzed using paired t-tests. RESULTS: The metabolic energy \nconsumption (VO2) in VS was lower than in CS at 6 mph (33.3 vs. 33.8 ml???kg-1min-1), \n7.5 mph (40.0 vs. 41.2 ml???kg-1min-1), and 9 mph (48.3 vs. 49.6 ml???kg-1min-1) but the \nresults were not significant (p<0.93). Average delta efficiency in the VS condition was \nslightly higher (14.5%) than that of the CS (14.2%) condition but the difference was not \nsignificant (p<0.89). CONCLUSION: Results showed small, non-significant \nimprovements in efficiency and economy in the VS shoe condition when compared with \nthe CS condition. Results showed that only three out of ten subjects transitioned from \nRFS to non-RFS, and this stability in foot strike across conditions may explain the \nrelatively small magnitude of improvement in efficiency and economy. Two out of three \nof minimalist-experienced subjects transitioned from RFS to non-RFS but only one out of \nfour minimalist-inexperienced subjects transitioned. These results indicate that barefoot \nor minimalist training may be more critical than footwear choice in improving efficiency \nand economy in running.
Author: Joseph Bootier
Language: English
Subfield: Biomedical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1152152243