Kinematic characteristics of barefoot sprinting in habitually shod children

Background Anecdotally, a wide variety of benefits of barefoot running have been advocated by numerous individuals. The influence of the alterations in the properties of the shoe on the running movement has been demonstrated in adults at submaximal jogging speeds. However, the biomechanical differences between shod and barefoot running in children at sprinting speeds and the potential developmental implications of these differences are still less examined. The purpose was to determine the potential differences in habitually shod children’s sprint kinematics between shod and barefoot conditions. Methods Ninety-four children (51 boys and 43 girls; 6–12 years-old; height, 135.0 ± 0.12 m; body…