The effects of minimalist shoes on the general endurance in long-distance recreational runners

Abstract

Background: The difference in general endurance between running with a minimalist shoe versus structured footwear is a topic of debate amongst both runners and researchers. Studies investigating the effect of structured and minimalist footwear on general endurance are still lacking. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the difference between running in minimal versus structured footwear on endurance amongst long distance recreational runners.

Methods: Thirty healthy long distance recreational runners were recruited for this study. Treadmill running in two different shod conditions: ‘Trial 1’ with structured footwear and ‘Trial 2’ with minimalist footwear was conducted. The Bruce Treadmill Protocol was used to estimate the VO2 max of each athlete were the time taken to reach volitional exhaustion was recorded and interpreted via two equations depending on whether the participant was male or female. The results of the equations estimating the participants' VO2 max were compared between the two types of footwear.

Results: The results of this study found a significant difference in general endurance when wearing minimalist footwear versus structured footwear (p = 0.038), indicating a higher efficiency when running with minimalist footwear. No significant difference was found in the mean Borg 6-20 RPE (Rate of Perceived Exertion rating scores) between structured and minimalist footwear (p = 0.32). However, although no significant difference was found, it is important to note that whilst all the participants wearing both structured and minimalist footwear reached stage 7 on the BTP protocol, in stages 8 and 9 the number of participants in minimalist footwear exceeded those in structured footwear implying better endurance when using minimalist footwear.

Conclusion: This finding provides important information to the running community, clinicians and researchers alike with regards to the efficacy when using minimalist shoes in long distance running. Since physical exercise and sports are today being advocated as important elements to improve general health status and weight loss, with recreational running being picked up by many individuals, it is of utmost importance to provide recreational runners and their coaches with evidence-based information regarding potential implications when choosing the appropriate footwear for distance running.