Abstract Title: Modifications in lower leg muscle activation when walking barefoot or in minimalist shoes across different age-groups. Abstract Source: Gait Posture. 2018 02 ;60:1-5. Epub 2017 Oct 28. PMID: 29121509 Abstract Author(s): Simon Franklin, François-Xavier Li, Michael J Grey Article Affiliation: Simon Franklin Abstract: Ageing is associated with a decline in muscle strength and impaired sensory mechanisms which contribute to an increased risk of falls. Walking barefooted has been suggested to promote increased muscle strength and improved proprioceptive sensibility through better activation of foot and ankle musculature. Minimalist footwear has been marketed as a method of reaping the suggested benefits of barefoot walking whilst still providing a protective surface. The aim of this study was to investigate if walking barefoot or in minimalist footwear provokes increased muscle activation compared to walking in conventional footwear. Seventy healthy adults (age range 20-87) volunteered for this study. All participants walked along a 7m walking lane five times in four different footwear conditions (barefoot (BF), minimalist shoes (MSH), their own shoes (SH) and control shoes (CON)). Muscle activity of their tibialis anterior (TA), gastrocnemius medialis (GCM) and peroneus longus (PL) were recorded simultaneously and normalised to the BF condition. MSH are intermediate in terms of ankle kinematics and muscle activation patterns. Walking BF or in MSH results in a decrease in TA activity at initial stance due to a flatter foot at contact in comparison to conventional footwear. Walking BF reduces PL activity at initial stance in the young and middle age but not the old. Walking in supportive footwear appears to reduce the balance modulation role of the GCM in the young and middle age but not the old, possibly as a result of slower walking speed when BF. Article Published Date : Dec 31, 2017

Abstract Title: Motor Skills of Children and Adolescents Are Influenced by Growing up Barefoot or Shod. Abstract Source: Front Pediatr. 2018 ;6:115. Epub 2018 Apr 25. PMID: 29922637 Abstract Author(s): Astrid Zech, Ranel Venter, Johanna E de Villiers, Susanne Sehner, Karl Wegscheider, Karsten Hollander Article Affiliation: Astrid Zech Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between growing up barefoot or shod and the development of motor performance during childhood and adolescence.Habitual barefoot and shod children and adolescents between 6 and 18 years were recruited in South Africa and Germany. Participants completed balance, standing long jump and 20 m sprint tests in barefoot and shod conditions. Outcomes were analyzed in separate mixed-effects linear regressions for three age groups according to stages of development (6-10, 11-14, and 15-18 years). All models were adjusted for confounders: sex, ethnicity, BMI, PAQ score and order of tests (barefoot vs. shod).Three hundred and eight-five habitually barefoot and 425 habitually shod children participated. Significant age by footwear effects were found for the jump (= 0.032) and sprint test (= 0.041). Habitually barefoot children aged 6-10 years scored higher in the balance test (= 0.015) and standing long jump (= 0.005) whereas habitually shod children sprinted faster (<0.001). Faster sprint times were found for habitually shod participants between 11 and 14 years (<0.001). Habitually barefoot adolescents between 15 and 18 years of age showed a greater long jump distance (<0.001) but slower sprint times (= 0.014) than shod adolescents.The results emphasize the importance of footwear habits for the development of motor skills during childhood and adolescence. Regular physical activities without footwear may be beneficial for the development of jumping and balance skills, especially in the age of 6 to 10 years. Article Published Date : Dec 31, 2017

Abstract Title: An Exploratory Study Investigating the Effects of Barefoot Running on Working Memory. Abstract Source: Percept Mot Skills. 2016 Apr ;122(2):432-43. PMID: 27166325 Abstract Author(s): Ross G Alloway, Tracy Packiam Alloway, Peter M Magyari, Shelley Floyd Article Affiliation: Ross G Alloway Abstract: The aim of the present study was to compare the potential cognitive benefits of running barefoot compared to shod. Young adults (N = 72, M age = 24.4 years, SD = 5.5) ran both barefoot and shod on a running track while stepping on targets (poker chips) and when not stepping on targets. The main finding was that participants performed better on a working memory test when running barefoot compared to shod, but only when they had to step on targets. These results supported the idea that additional attention is needed when running barefoot to avoid stepping on objects that could potentially injure the foot. Significant increases in participant's heart rate were also found in the barefoot condition. No significantdifferences were found in participants' speed across conditions. These findings suggested that working memory may be enhanced after at least 16 minutes of barefoot running if the individual has to focus attention on the ground. Article Published Date : Mar 31, 2016