Center of pressure trajectory differences between shod and barefoot running

Abstract

This study examined differences in center of pressure (COP) trajectories between shod and barefoot running. Ten habitually shod runners ran continuous laps under both shod and barefoot conditions. The COP trajectory was calculated in the global coordinate system but then transformed to the anatomic coordinate system of the foot. The anterior–posterior and medio-lateral positions and excursions of the COP, as well as the most medial location and percent stand at which it occurred were examined. Additionally, external eversion moments and ground reaction forces were assessed. Compared to the shod condition, in the barefoot condition the COP was located more anteriorly early in stance and the COP was located significantly more medially at most time points across stance. There were no differences in external eversion moments during early stance or peak ground reaction forces between conditions. Future studies on mechanical or epidemiological differences between shod and barefoot running may find the COP trajectory an informative parameter to examine.