Grass Surface Research Articles

Comparing the transpirational and shading effects of two contrasting urban tree species

Urban trees are getting increasing attention as a tool to mitigate urban heat island effects. A more functional and quantitative view of transpirational and shading effect, particularly the magnitude of both surface and air cooling potential can further strengthen motivations for urban tree planting. We investigated the transpirational and the surface cooling potential of two contrasting tree species in Munich, Germany: ring porous Robinia pseudoacacia L. and diffuse porous Tilia cordata Mill. Throughout the summer 2016 we monitored meteorological and edaphic variables and tree sap-flow along with the air temperature within and outside tree shade at different heights. With 30% higher leaf area index (LAI), double sap-flux density and sapwood area, T. cordata trees showed three times higher transpiration compared to the R. pseudoacacia. Consequently, T. cordata trees showed higher within canopy air cooling effect. Surface cooling (∆Tshade) were higher under the denser canopies of T. cordata compared to R. pseudoacacia for asphalt surfaces but ∆Tshade for grass surfaces were not significantly different under the canopies of two species. Linear regression indicated a decrease in grass surface temperature of 3 °C with every unit of LAI but for asphalt, the reduction in surface temperature was about 6 °C. Additionally, higher water using efficiencies of R. pseudoacacia coupled with higher soil moisture and radiation probably increased the grass evapotranspiration and subsequently showed positive relationship with the near ground air cooling. Therefore, species with higher canopy density might be preferred over asphalt surfaces but low water using species with lower canopy density could be chosen over grass surfaces.

Running biomechanics as measured by wearable sensors: effects of speed and surface

ABSTRACT Running biomechanics research has traditionally occurred in the laboratory, but with the advent of wearable sensors measurement of running biomechanics may shift outside the laboratory. The purpose was to determine if RunScribe™ wearable sensors could detect differences in kinematic, kinetic and spatiotemporal measures during runs at two speeds and on two different surfaces. Fifteen recreational runners (7 males, 8 females; age = 20.0 ± 3.1 years) participated. While wearing sensors on the heels of their shoes, participants completed four 1600 m runs on both track and grass surfaces. On each surface, the first 1600 m was at a self-selected slow speed followed by the second 1600 m at a self-selected fast pace. The sensors quantified several kinetic, kinematic and spatiotemporal measures. Repeated measures ANOVAs compared the effects of surface and speed. The spatiotemporal measures of stride length, cycle time and contact time were predictably affected by increased running speed and increased surface stiffness, as were the kinematic and kinetic measurements of maximum pronation velocity, maximum pronation excursion, impact g, and braking g (p < 0.050). The RunScribe™ sensors identified expected changes in running biomechanics measures at different speeds and on varying surfaces.

Effects of deciduous shade trees on surface temperature and pedestrian thermal stress during summer and autumn.

In a context of urban warming, the effects of trees on outdoor thermal stress are important even during the increasingly hot autumn season. This study examines the effects of a deciduous tree species (Tilia x europaea L) on surface temperature over different ground materials and in turn on human thermal comfort, with a particular focus on tree shade variation due to leaf fall. Grass, asphalt, and gravel-covered ground surfaces, both sun-exposed and under the Tilia, were monitored in Florence, Italy, during the summer (2014) and autumn (2017) seasons. The Index of Thermal Stress (ITS) was used to gauge the micrometeorological effects of the changing tree canopy, with tree defoliation quantified by the Plant Area Index. On clear summer days, thermal discomfort was especially pronounced over exposed asphalt, and even more intense above exposed gravel due to its higher reflectivity-while shaded surfaces showed large reductions in thermal stress. Even though incoming solar radiation decreases over the course of the fall season, the direct radiation under the gradually defoliating tree canopy actually increases. Due to this diminished shading effect, the differences in surface temperature between exposed and shaded asphalt shrink dramatically from about 20 to 3°C. However, since ambient conditions become milder as the season progresses, the Tilia demonstrated a double benefit in terms of ITS: providing thermal comfort under its full canopy at the beginning of autumn and maintaining comfort even as its canopy thins out. At the same time, tree species with earlier defoliation may be unable to replicate such benefits.

Effect of two volume of plyometric training on different surface combined with saq drills on explosive power of junior volleyball players

The purpose of study was to find out the effect of two volume of plyometric training on different surface combined with SAQ drills on explosive power of junior volleyball players. To execute this investigation, sixty junior level school girls’ volleyball players from St. Antony's Girls High School, Vadakara, Calicut (Dt), Kerala were selected as subjects at random. The study was formulated as pre and posttest random group design, in which sixty players were divided into four equal groups. The experimental group 1 (n = 15) designed to low volume plyometric training on sand surface with SAQ drills, the experimental group 2 (n = 15) designed to moderate volume plyometric training on sand surface with SAQ drills, the experimental group 3 (n = 15) designed to low volume plyometric training on grass surface with SAQ drills, and the experimental group 4 (n = 15) designed to moderate volume plyometric training on grass surface with SAQ drills. The explosive power was selected as dependent variable. It was tested standing broad jump, scores recorded in meters. The selected treatment groups were performed their respective training program for 12 weeks, three days per week. The collected pre and post data was critically analyzed with dependent ‘t’ test and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Whenever the F-ratio is significant, the Scheffe's test was applied as post-hoc test, in order to determine the paired mean differences. The level of confidence was fixed at 0.05 levels for all the cases in order to find out the significance. The results of the study clearly indicate that performance of explosive power was improved due to the 12 weeks of selected training interventions.

PENGARUH JENIS PERMUKAAN TERHADAP BESARNYA LIMPASAN AIR

&lt;p&gt;The expansion of urban areas and the reduction of forest areas occur on several places in Indonesia. The Building process will effect to the land untilization. So, it needs a rule to guide the environmental balance. The purpose of the research is to find out the effect of the land surface and the slope to the flow coefficient (C).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; This research was conducted using catchment area model. The measurements were done by the average of rain intensity, the soil density, volume of runoff, and the flow coefficient (C). The slope area that were used are 0&lt;sup&gt;0&lt;/sup&gt;, 2&lt;sup&gt;0&lt;/sup&gt; and 4&lt;sup&gt;0&lt;/sup&gt;. The surface used soil, paving, grass, and a mixture of soil and rock with of 75%: 25% ratio.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; The result showed that the slope value effected to the value of flow coefficient (C), if the slope was high then flow coefficient (C) value was high too. The result showed that the mixture of soil and rock surface had the hihghest value that is 4&lt;sup&gt;0&lt;/sup&gt; slope with 0.43 coefficient value. The surface that had lowest value is grass surface on the 0&lt;sup&gt;0 &lt;/sup&gt;slope value with 0.11 average value of flow coefficient (C). Based on the ANOVA test results, it showed the slope surface had positive and significant effect to the flow coefficient (C) value.&lt;/p&gt;

Extremes, intermittency, and time directionality of atmospheric turbulence at the crossover from production to inertial scales

The effects of mechanical generation of turbulent kinetic energy and buoyancy forces on the statistics of air temperature and velocity increments are experimentally investigated at the cross over from production to inertial range scales. The ratio of an approximated mechanical to buoyant production (or destruction) of turbulent kinetic energy can be used to form a dimensionless stability parameter $\zeta$ that classifies the state of the atmosphere as common in many atmospheric surface layer studies. Here, we assess how $\zeta$ affects the scale-wise evolution of the probability of extreme air temperature excursions, their asymmetry and time reversibility. The analysis makes use of high frequency velocity and air temperature time series measurements collected at $z$=5 m above a grass surface at very large Reynolds numbers $Re=u_* z/\nu > 1\times 10^5$ ($u_*$ is the friction velocity and $\nu$ is the kinematic viscosity of air). Using conventional higher-order structure functions, temperature exhibits larger intermittency and wider multifractality when compared to the longitudinal velocity component, consistent with laboratory studies and simulations conducted at lower $Re$. Moreover, deviations from the classical Kolmogorov scaling for the longitudinal velocity are shown to be reasonably described by the She-Leveque vortex filament model that has no 'tunable' parameters and is independent of $\zeta$. The work demonstrates that external boundary conditions, and in particular the magnitude and sign of the sensible heat flux, have a significant impact on temperature advection-diffusion dynamics within the inertial range. In particular, atmospheric stability affects both the buildup of intermittency and the persistent asymmetry and time irreversibility observed in the first two decades of inertial sub-range scales.

Capturing the Diurnal Cycle of Land Surface Temperature Using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

Characterizing the land surface temperature (LST) and its diurnal cycle is important in understanding a range of surface properties, including soil moisture status, evaporative response, vegetation stress and ground heat flux. While remote-sensing platforms present a number of options to retrieve this variable, there are inevitable compromises between the resolvable spatial and temporal resolution. For instance, the spatial resolution of geostationary satellites, which can provide sub-hourly LST, is often too coarse (3 km) for many applications. On the other hand, higher-resolution polar orbiting satellites are generally infrequent in time, with return intervals on the order of weeks, limiting their capacity to capture surface dynamics. With recent developments in the application of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), there is now the opportunity to collect LST measurements on demand and at ultra-high spatial resolution. Here, we detail the collection and analysis of a UAV-based LST dataset, with the purpose of examining the diurnal surface temperature response: something that has not been possible from traditional satellite platforms at these scales. Two separate campaigns were conducted over a bare desert surface in combination with either Rhodes grass or a recently harvested maize field. In both cases, thermal imagery was collected between 0800 and 1700 local solar time. The UAV-based diurnal cycle was consistent with ground-based measurements, with a mean correlation coefficient and root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.99 and 0.68 °C, respectively. LST retrieved over the grass surface presented the best results, with an RMSE of 0.45 °C compared to 0.67 °C for the single desert site and 1.28 °C for the recently harvested maize surface. Even considering the orders of magnitude difference in scale, an exploratory analysis comparing retrievals of the UAV-based diurnal cycle with METEOSAT geostationary data yielded pleasing results (R = 0.98; RMSE = 1.23 °C). Overall, our analysis revealed a diurnal range over the desert and maize surfaces of ~20 °C and ~17 °C respectively, while the grass showed a reduced amplitude of ~12 °C. Considerable heterogeneity was observed over the grass surface at the peak of the diurnal cycle, which was likely indicative of the varying crop water status. To our knowledge, this study presents the first spatially varying analysis of the diurnal LST captured at ultra-high resolution, from any remote platform. Our findings highlight the considerable potential to utilize UAV-based retrievals to enhance investigations across multi-disciplinary studies in agriculture, hydrology and land-atmosphere investigations.

Walking Trajectory Optimization Algorithm For Robot Humanoid on Synthetic Grass

Synthetic grass surface is a new rule in international robot soccer competition (RoboCup). The main issue in the development of the RoboCup competition today is about how to make a humanoid robot walk above the field of synthetic grass. Because of that, the humanoid robot needs a system that can be implemented into the walking algorithm. This paper describes how to maintain the stability of humanoid robot called EROS by using walking trajectory algorithm without a control system. The establishment of the walking trajectory system is combined with a process of landing optimization using deceleration and heel-strikes gait optimization. This system has been implemented into a humanoid robot with 52 cm of height and walking on synthetic grass with different speeds. By adding optimization, the robot walks more stable from 32% to 80% of stability. In the next research, the control system will be added to improve the stability.

Effects of plyometric training on grass surface and concrete surface on jumping performance among volleyball athletes

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of 4 weeks plyometric training on grass surface group and concrete surface on jumping performance among volleyball athletes. The vertical jump was evaluated in two types of jump; squat jump (SJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ). The result of this study indicates that the 4 weeks intervention showed a significant improvement in post test on SJ and CMJ (p &lt; 0.05) for both grass surface and concrete surface. However, in comparing the grass surface and concrete surface, there was no significant difference (p &gt; 0.05). These findings suggest that plyometric training on different surfaces may be associated with similar training-induced effects on the neuromuscular factors which are related to the efficiency of the stretch-shortening cycle.

Variability of the copper isotopic composition in soil and grass affected by mining and smelting in Tsumeb, Namibia

The Tsumeb mining District (Namibia) is affected by prolonged exposure to multisource contamination related to the mining and smelting of copper ores. This study was performed to assess the extent of contamination of topsoil and grass shoots on the basis of the copper isotopic composition. Compared to an uncontaminated area (δ65Cusoil = −0.01 to +0.14‰; δ65Cugrass = −0.17 to +0.03‰), the soil and grass in the contaminated area are enriched in the heavy isotope (δ65Cusoil = +0.13 to +0.76‰ and δ65Cugrass = +0.15 to +0.64‰). The Δ65Cugrass-soil value exhibits small variations (+0.06 to −0.17) due to the variable degree of grass surface contamination, depending on the grass washing procedure used. The enrichment of soil and grass in the contaminated area in 65Cu reflects the Cu isotopic composition of old flotation tailings (δ65Cu = +0.95 to +1.1‰), slag (+0.11 to +0.55‰) and particles which originate from the smelting and flue gas cleaning processes (+0.15 to +0.49‰). The long history of mining and processing of copper ores in the Tsumeb area and the different isotopic composition of ore concentrates smelted in the local metallurgical plant do not allow assessment of whether the smelting process leads to isotope fractionation of copper. However, the isotopic composition of Cu in the sulfidic feed, slag and dust particles sampled over several hours showed that the dust collected from the dusthouse of the local smelter is isotopically lighter (δ65Cu = +0.15‰) relative to the isotopic composition of the charge (δ65Cu = +0.28 and +0.44‰). The results of this investigation demonstrate that the isotopic composition of Cu in soils and grasses can be used to assess the intensity of contamination in areas where Cu ores are mined and processed provided that the isotopic compositions of the ore processing products are different from the isotopic compositions of the uncontaminated soils and vegetation.

Does 'hacking' surface type affect equine forelimb foot placement, movement symmetry or hoof impact deceleration during ridden walk and trot exercise?

Both pleasure and competition horses regularly exercise on surfaces such as tarmac, gravel and turf during 'hacking'. Despite this, there is limited evidence relating to the effect of these surfaces upon foot-surface interaction. To investigate forelimb foot placement, hoof vibration and movement symmetry in pleasure horses on three commonly encountered hacking surfaces. Quantitative gait study in a convenience sample. Six horses regularly partaking in hacking exercise were ridden in walk and trot on all surfaces. Horses were equipped with one hoof-mounted, accelerometer and four body-mounted inertial measurement units (IMUs) to measure foot impact and movement symmetry. High-speed (400 FPS) video footage of foot-placement was acquired (dorsal, palmar, lateral views). Foot-impact and movement symmetry were analysed with a mixed effects model and Bowker symmetry tests for foot-placement analysis. Vibration power and frequency parameters increase as perceived surface firmness increases from grass, to gravel, to tarmac (P≤0.001). Vibration power parameters were consistently greater at trot compared with walk (P≤0.001), but the same was not true for vibration frequency (P≥0.2). Greatest movement asymmetry was recorded during grass surface trotting. No significant difference in foot-placement was detected between the three surfaces. This was a field study using three commonly encountered hacking surfaces. Surface properties change easily with water content and temperature fluctuations so care must be taken when considering other similar surfaces, especially at different times of the year. Six leisure horses were used so the results may not be representative of horses of all types. Vibration parameters generally increase as perceived surface firmness increases. Increasing speed alters vibration power but not frequency. Further investigations are required to determine the role that this may play in the development of musculoskeletal disease in horses.

Playing surface and UK professional rugby union injury risk

ABSTRACTArtificial rugby union playing surface installation is increasing. This prospective cohort study aimed to examine the effect of playing surface on match injury types within 157 players of two UK professional rugby union clubs playing 209 matches (96 on artificial surfaces and 113 on grass) over three seasons. There was no difference in overall injury risk between the two playing surfaces with injury incidence on artificial 80.2 (CI 69.9–91.7) and on grass 81.9 per 1000 match-hours (CI 72.2–92.5), with an incidence rate ratio (RR) of 0.98 (CI 0.82–1.17). There was a higher rate of concussion (RR 0.52, CI 0.34 – 0.78) and chest injuries on grass (RR 0.26 CI 0.07, 0.95), and a higher rate of thigh haematoma (RR 2.25, CI 1.05–4.82) foot injuries (RR 4.12, CI 1.10, 15.40) and injury to players being tackled (RR 1.46, CI 1.00, 2.15) on artificial. Whilst there was no higher injury risk for matches played on artificial versus natural grass surfaces, the higher incidence of concussion and chest injury on grass, and the higher rate of foot injuries on artificial surfaces may be related to tackle and footwear-to-surface interface factors.

Vertical air temperature gradients under the shade of two contrasting urban tree species during different types of summer days

Moderation of thermal energy balance through the canopies of urban trees is well known. However, a more functional and quantitative view of the heterogeneous urban environment and their influence on the below-canopy vertical air temperature gradients is largely missing. Throughout the summer 2016 we continuously measured air temperature at three different heights (at 1.5, 3 and 4.5m from the ground) under the canopies of two common but contrasting street tree species in respect of eco-physiology and morphology in Munich, Germany: Robinia pseudoacacia L. (ring porous) and Tilia cordata Mill. (diffuse porous). Along with air and surface temperature we also measured meteorological and edaphic variables and categorized summer time as cool, mild, summer and hot days. Global radiation, vapour pressure deficit and soil temperature increased as the days got warmer but precipitation, soil moisture and wind speed showed the reversed pattern. Overall, T. cordata trees with higher leaf area index and sap-wood area provided three times more transpiration than R. pseudoacacia. On an average air temperature gradient of outside to inside canopy dropped from 1.8°C to 1.3°C for T. cordata but from 1.5°C to only 0.5°C for R. pseudoacacia as the days got warmer. Vertical decline of air cooling effect was around 1°C from canopy to the near-ground (1.5m). Lower soil moisture but higher soil temperature suggested that cool air from the canopy mixed with a higher amount of sensible heat flux under the canopies of T. cordata compared to the R. pseudoacacia as the days got warmer. The study indicated a threshold for extreme hot days when grass surface evapotranspirational cooling will not be as effective and act like built surfaces rather deep shading from tree canopies will be important.

Urban stormwater runoff thermal characteristics and mitigation effect of low impact development measures

Abstract Thermal pollution has become a severe environmental problem in China, but studies on thermal characteristics of urban stormwater runoff are scarce. The thermal enrichment of runoff from typical land surfaces was assessed during 2012–2014 in Beijing and Shenzhen, China. The temperature of stormwater runoff from rooftops, grass surfaces and different types of road surfaces was investigated under different rainfall conditions. The mitigation effects of low impact development (LID) measures were also evaluated. Impervious asphalt or concrete surfaces store and transfer heat, and were found to cause thermal enrichment of runoff from the start of a rainfall event. In addition to surface types, pre-event weather conditions and rainfall intensity influenced runoff temperature. The pervious surface of open graded friction course (OGFC) pavement postponed the time of peak runoff temperature. The retention volume of bioretention cells resulted in thermal energy mitigation by directing runoff into the soil and vegetative cover. The grass swales showed effective reduction of runoff temperature by approximately 1–2°C compared to asphalt, concrete and marble pavements. Therefore, LID measures, such as OGFC porous pavements, bioretention cells and grass swales, can mitigate the thermal impacts of urban stormwater runoff and alleviate resulting ecological problems.

Effects of Plyometric Training on Grass Surface and Concrete Surface on Jumping Performance among Volleyball Athletes

Effects of Plyometric Training on Grass Surface and Concrete Surface on Jumping Performance among Volleyball Athletes

The degree of flammability for an artificial grass surface system

The paper presents a general overview of sport and floor lining products, such as artificial grass, which are used in residential premises and public utility buildings, as well as the hazards which ensue from the use of synthetic grass [1]. An outline was made of the requirements for the fire safety of civil engineering structures arising from their designation and usage type. The results were presented from studies conducted on four samples of synthetic grass with the main ingredients being polyethylene and polypropylene. An appraisal method was determined for flammable properties and flame spread on a horizontal sample subjected to a heat radiation flux gradient in a research chamber pursuant to PN EN ISO 9239- 1 [25] applicable for all types of floors. Based on the estimated value of critical heat radiation flux (KSP) below 3 kW/m2 and in addition to the flammability of products directly subjected to a flame according to PN EN ISO 11925-2 [27], a study was made of the suitability of selected samples of artificial grass by their categorisation to class Efl - i.e. easily flammable products. The classification of artificial grass selected for the needs of the studies, which has been verified in practice, and designated for use as decoration for gazebos, balconies, terraces and public utility facilities is only admissible in residential premises of type ZL IV.

Ocena agroekoloških uslova severne Bačke u proizvodnji semena italijanskog ljulja (Lolium Italicum L.) i ekonomska opravdanost

Italian ryegrass is a high quality grass, relatively well adapted to our agroecological conditions. In order to increase the production of fodder crop obtained from this plant, it is necessary to establish grass surfaces and it is necessary to produce quality and cheap seeds. In order to achieve this goal, we need modern agrotechnics for seed production, adjusted to our conditions and adapted to the edaphic and weather characteristics of our production areas. The yields of seeds achieved in our production practice are significantly lower than the potentials, but it is possible to increase it with better agrotechnology during the development of seed crops and the seasonal performance of agrotechnical operations. Qualitative production requires experienced staff as well as cooperation between science and economy. Italian ryegrass has a number of features that make it interesting for cost-effective production. There is big market, with a great demand for seeds every year. Italian ryegrass is irreplaceable in short-term grass-leguminous mixtures. However, Vojvodina does not belong to the grassland production area, it is rather an intensive production area for fruits and vegetables. The main goal of this work is to examine the suitability of climatic-edaphic conditions of Vojvodina (northern Bačka) in the production of Italian ryegrass seeds, not only in terms of yield and quality of seeds (agrotechnical aspect), but also by determining the economic profitability of seed production in the spring sowing in the first year of exploitation, as well as in the conditions of dry cropping (agroeconomic aspect).

Interplay between silica deposition and viability during the life span of sorghum silica cells

Silica cells are specialized epidermal cells found on both surfaces of grass leaves, with almost the entire lumen filled with solid silica. The mechanism precipitating silicic acid into silica is not known. Here we investigate this process in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) leaves. Using fluorescent confocal microscopy, we followed silica cells' ontogeny, aiming to understand the fate of vacuoles and nuclei. Correlating the confocal and scanning electron microscopy, we timed the initiation of silica deposition in relation to cell's viability. Contrary to earlier reports, silica cells did not lose their nucleus before silica deposition. Vacuoles in silica cells did not concentrate silicic acid. Instead, postmaturation silicification initiated at the cell periphery in live cells. Less than 1% silica cells showed characteristics of programmed cell death in the cell maturation zone. In fully elongated mature leaves, 2.4% of silica cells were nonsilicified and 1.6% were partially silicified. Silica deposition occurs in the paramural space of live silica cells. The mineral does not kill the cells. Instead, silica cells are genetically programmed to undergo cell death independent of silicification. Fully silicified cells seem to have nonsilicified voids containing membrane remains after the completion of the cell death processes.

Infilrooter: Multifunctional Apparatus to Measure Water Infiltration, Compaction, and Playability of Manicured Grass Sports Surfaces

Compaction of manicured grass surfaces such as golf and bowling greens and tennis lawns is a progressive and inevitable process caused by high player numbers and maintenance machines. For the health of the grass, compaction can be minimized by timeous aeration techniques. The objective of this case study was to describe a benchmarking concept using water infiltration rate to assess surface compaction of sports turfs and consequently the need for aeration. A simplified and low‐cost apparatus, termed the Infilrooter, enabled both the measurement of water infiltration and subsequent withdrawal of a core sample for investigating the root‐soil‐grass systems. Both an infiltrometer and core sampler are well‐known concepts, but their functional combination, as in the Infilrooter, is novel and has no known previous application in grass management to assess compaction. A suitable range of infiltration rates between 100 and 1000 mm h−1 was observed on healthy manicured grass sports surfaces. Infiltration rates &lt;100 mm h−1 were indicative of surface compaction and poor root development. A corollary to the Infilrooter case study established the relationship between water infiltration rate and stimpmeter readings (speed of green) as a useful index to gauge the playability of grass sports surfaces.

Reduction in Plantar Heel Pain and a Return to Sport After a Barefoot Running Intervention in a Female Triathlete With Plantar Fasciitis

In a 27-year-old female triathlete, magnetic resonance imaging revealed mild thickening and edema at the calcaneal insertion of the plantar fascia, in keeping with a degree of plantar fasciitis. After 6 weeks of conservative treatment failed to elicit a return to sport, the patient engaged in six sessions of barefoot running (15–30 min) on a soft grass surface, without further conservative treatment. After two sessions of barefoot running, the patient was asymptomatic before, during, and after running. This outcome was maintained at the 6-week follow-up period. This is the first case report to use barefoot running as a treatment strategy for chronic heel pain. Barefoot running has the potential to reduce the load on the plantar fascia and warrants further investigation using a case series.