Four weeks minimalist shoe walking improves measures of foot posture and balance in healthy young adults – a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Abstract Research suggests that running in minimalist shoes (MS) positively influences local and non-directly adjacent areas of the dorsal chain (DC). This study investigates the effects of 4-week MS walking in non‑runners. 28 healthy participants (15f, 13m; 25.3 ± 5.3 yrs; 70.2 ± 11.9 kg; 175.0 ± 7.8 cm) were randomly assigned to a control or intervention group. The intervention group undertook a 4‑week incremental walking program in MS, which included a daily step count of 3,000 steps/day in the first week increasing to 5,000 steps/day for the remaining 3 weeks. The control group walked in their preferred shoe (no MS). We assessed the following parameters in a laboratory at baseline [M1], and after the 4-week intervention [M2]: Foot parameters (e.g. FPI‑6), lower limb ROM, balance during single-leg stance, and muscle strength of the DC. For statistical analysis, stepwise linear regression models in forward selection were calculated. In the MS group, the FPI-6 (b = -3.72, t(51) = -6.05, p < .001, [-4.94, 2.51]) and balance (b = -17.96, t(49) = -2.56, p = .01, [-31.54, 4.37]) significantly improved from M1 to M2, but not all other parameters (all p >.05). Walking with MS might be an advantageous intervention for non-runners.