Barefoot walking changed relative timing during the support phase but not ground reaction forces in children when compared to different footwear conditions

Abstract

BackgroundThere is a paucity of available biomechanical kinetic data comparing shod and barefoot conditions in children. Research questionDo children wearing footwear have comparable gait velocity, ground reaction forces (GRF), spatiotemporal parameters, propulsive and braking impulses when compared to children walking barefoot? MethodsSeventy-five children were divided into four groups: Group 1 females aged 4–9 years old (n = 29). Group 2 females aged 3–5 years old (n = 16). Group 3 males aged 6–9 years old (n = 13). Group 4 males aged 4–8 years old (n = 17). Children walked at a self-selected pace over a walkway of force platforms. Each footwear and barefoot represented a separate condition. The order of conditions was randomized. A repeated-measures ANOVA was performed to investigate the effects of the footwear type on gait parameters in each group. Multiple comparisons with Bonferroni corrections were conducted when appropriate. ResultsThere were no statistical differences in velocity or in vertical and anteroposterior GRF across conditions for all groups. There was a significant effect of the footwear worn on time to loading response peak (p = 0.008), time to midstance force (p = 0.006), and time to propulsive peak (p < 0.001). For Group 3, there was a significant effect of the footwear worn on time to braking peak (p < 0.001) and time to propulsive peak (p < 0.001). Regarding impulses for Group 1, there was a significant effect of the footwear worn on the loading response impulse (p = 0.016) and terminal stance and pre-swing impulse (p = 0.001). For Group 4, there was a significant effect of the footwear worn on the loading response impulse (p = 0.028). SignificanceThere is no influence of the evaluated children’s footwear on gait velocity or GRF.