Barefoot running does not affect simple reaction time: an exploratory study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Converging evidence comparing barefoot (BF) and shod (SH) running highlights differences in foot-strike patterns and somatosensory feedback, among others. Anecdotal evidence from SH runners attempting BF running suggests a greater attentional demand may be experienced during BF running. However, little work to date has examined whether there is an attentional cost of BF versus SH running.

Objective

This exploratory study aimed to examine whether an acute bout of BF running would impact simple reaction time (SRT) compared to SH running, in a sample of runners naïve to BF running.

Methods

Eight male distance runners completed SRT testing during 10 min of BF or SH treadmill running at 70% maximal aerobic speed (17.9 ± 1.4 km h^-1). To test SRT, parti

SUBMITTER: Snow NJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5896505 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature