Sagittal And Frontal Plane Joint Moments Of The Sumo Deadlift During Shod And Barefoot Conditions

Abstract

Sumo style deadlifting has recently become more prevalent. Barefoot-style lifting has also become increasingly popular with claims such as increased force production and improved “grounding” of the foot. However, the biomechanics of sumo deadlifting while barefoot have not been examined. PURPOSE: To examine the effects on the hip, knee, and ankle joint moments during a sumo deadlift when comparing shod and barefoot conditions. METHODS: Ten subjects (27.3±3.5 yrs, 1.74±0.13m, 77.97±17.34kg) with minimum six months of deadlift experience (7.6±4.6 yrs), who were free from lower extremity injury, performed 1 repetition maximum (1RM; 137.7±43.0 kg) testing on day 1. This testing was performed in self-selected footwear. On day 2, a minimum of 72 hours later, subjects lifted 70% of their 1RM during a 3-dimensional analysis. Subjects performed one set of five continuous repetitions of a sumo deadlift in shod and barefoot conditions in randomized order. Five minutes of rest was given between sets. Marker data were collected using Qualisys Track Manager, sampling at 240Hz. Force data were collected using Bertec force plates, sampling at 1200Hz. Raw marker and force data were imported into Visual3D. Marker and force data were filtered using a fourth-order lowpass Butterworth filter at 8Hz. Peak internal sagittal and frontal plane joint moments of the hip, knee, and ankle were calculated during the concentric phase of each repetition. Peak vertical ground reaction force was measured during the concentric phase. RESULTS: No significant differences were detected in peak hip extension moment (p=0.855), hip abduction (p=0.288), knee extension (p=0.607), knee abduction (p=0.926), ankle plantarflexion (p=0.376), ankle eversion (p=0.739), or peak vertical ground reaction force (p=0.558). CONCLUSIONS: There is no evidence to suggest that the barefoot lifting style increases performance capabilities when lifting the same weight as in the shod condition. Additionally, there is no evidence to suggest that there is any increased risk in excess frontal plane joint moments during barefoot lifting. Future research should examine the 1RM capabilities in both shod and barefoot conditions to determine if differences exist during maximal compared to submaximal efforts.