This study investigates the kinematic effects of non-athletic, flat-soled sneakers on lower extremity joints during walking. Ten healthy gym-goers (24.4 ± 1.7 years) underwent treadmill gait analysis under two conditions: wearing non-athletic sneakers and walking with only socks. Gait was captured using the Gait Real-time Analysis and Interactive Lab (GRAIL). Dependent variables included cadence, support times, and stride length. Walking with socks significantly increased cadence (p < .0001) and single support time (p = .0103), and decreased initial (p = .018), terminal (p = .0056), and total double support times (p = .0092). No significant difference in stride length was observed. These findings suggest non-athletic sneakers may impair proprioception and balance compared to walking in socks. Further research should explore how footwear types influence gait and postural stability.
AkuzawaH.MoritoT.OshikawaT.KumaiT.KaneokaK. (2023). Functional relationship between the foot intrinsic and extrinsic muscles in walking. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 71, 102781. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelekin.2023.102781
2.
EgglestonJ. D.ConroyK. E.MorenoA. G.TravisW. J.HuskeyB. R.VanderhoofH. R. (2023). The use of preferred footwear versus barefoot conditions in gait analysis: A methodological investigation. Journal of Biomechanics, 160, 111817. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2023.111817
3.
FranklinS.GreyM. J.HeneghanN.BowenL.LiF.-X. (2015). Barefoot vs common footwear: A systematic review of the kinematic, kinetic and muscle activity differences during walking. Gait & Posture, 42(3), 230–239. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2015.05.019
4.
FranklinS.LiF.-X.GreyM. J. (2018). Modifications in lower leg muscle activation when walking barefoot or in minimalist shoes across different age-groups. Gait & Posture, 60, 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2017.10.027
5.
Ferri-CaruanaA.Cardera-PortaE.Gene-MoralesJ.Saez-BerlangaA.Jiménez-MartínezP.JuesasA.ColadoJ. C. (2024). Barefoot vs shod walking and jogging on the electromyographic activity of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius. Journal of Biomechanics, 176, 112371–112371. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2024.112371
6.
Fong YanA.SinclairP. J.HillerC.WegenerC.SmithR. M. (2013). Impact attenuation during weight bearing activities in barefoot vs. shod conditions: A systematic review. Gait & Posture, 38(2), 175–186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2012.11.017
7.
BuldtA. K.MurleyG. S.ButterworthP.LevingerP.MenzH. B.LandorfK. B. (2013). The relationship between foot posture and lower limb kinematics during walking: A systematic review. Gait & Posture, 38(3), 363–372. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2013.01.010
8.
HeinT.GrauS. (2014). Can minimal running shoes imitate barefoot heel-toe running patterns? A comparison of lower leg kinematics. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 3(2), 67–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2014.03.002
9.
HollanderK.PetersenE.ZechA.HamacherD. (2021). Effects of barefoot vs. shod walking during indoor and outdoor conditions in younger and older adults. Gait & Posture, 95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2021.04.024
10.
JafarnezhadgeroA. A.AnvariM.GranacherU. (2020). Long-term effects of shoe mileage on ground reaction forces and lower limb muscle activities during walking in individuals with genu varus. Clinical Biomechanics, 73, 55–62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2020.01.006
11.
KadambandeS.KhuranaA.DebnathU.BansalM.HariharanK. (2006). Comparative anthropometric analysis of shod and unshod feet. The Foot, 16(4), 188–191. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foot.2006.06.001
12.
KeenanG. S.FranzJ. R.DicharryJ.Della CroceU.KerriganD. C. (2011). Lower limb joint kinetics in walking: The role of industry recommended footwear. Gait & Posture, 33(3), 350–355. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2010.09.019
13.
MalusJ.UrbaczkaJ.Marketa RygelovaCasulaV.NieminenM.MonteA.HorkaV.UchytilJ. (2023). Effect of footwear type on biomechanical risk factors for knee osteoarthritis. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/23259671231183416
14.
MoisanG.DescarreauxM.CantinV. (2020). The influence of footwear on walking biomechanics in individuals with chronic ankle instability. PLOS ONE, 15(9), e0239621. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0239621
15.
RileyP. O.DicharryJ.FranzJ.CroceU. D.WilderR. P.KerriganD. C. (2008). A kinematics and kinetic comparison of overground and treadmill running. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 40(6), 1093–1100. https://doi.org/10.1249/mss.0b013e3181677530
16.
SamsonD. R.SpearJ. J.WoodA. K.ZubairA. S.YoungJ. W. (2023). The use of preferred footwear versus barefoot conditions in gait analysis: A methodological investigation. Journal of Biomechanics, 159, 111709. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2023.111709
17.
ShakoorN.BlockJ. A. (2006), Walking barefoot decreases loading on the lower extremity joints in knee osteoarthritis. Arthritis & Rheumatism, 54, 2923–2927. https://doi.org/10.1002/art.22123
YlinenJ.PennanenA.WeirA.HäkkinenA.MultanenJ. (2021). Effect of biomechanical footwear on upper and lower leg muscle activity in comparison with knee brace and normal walking. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 57, 102528. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelekin.2021.102528
20.
ZhangX.PaquetteM. R.ZhangS. (2013). A comparison of gait biomechanics of flip-flops, sandals, barefoot and shoes. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1186/1757-1146-6-45
