Title: Effects of Zero-Drop Shoes on Knee Joint Kinematics & Kinetics During the Barbell Back Squat
Abstract: PURPOSE: During the barbell back squat, increased loading promotes strength gain, but also poses potential for injury from increased exertion at lower extremity joints. Barefoot and zero-drop footwear are being studied in running and other athletic situations, but little is known about how they influence squatting. It has been shown that there is a reduction of frontal plane knee moments during squatting in barefoot and zero-drop footwear compared to standard athletic shoes. The purpose of this study was to investigate joint moment differences at the ankle and hip while performing barbell back squats in barefoot and zero-drop footwear. METHODS: 10 male and 5 female (n=15) recreational weight lifters performed 1 set of 10 repetitions of barbell back squats at a self-selected weight, defined as the amount of weight the participant would do with performing 4 sets of 10 repetitions. The sets were performed in unshod, non-cushioned zero-drop (0mm heel-toe drop, minimalist style), cushioned zero drop (0mm heel-toe drop, cushioned soles), and standard athletic shoe (SAC) conditions while 3D kinematics and kinetics were collected. RESULTS: The barefoot condition led to a reduced peak dorsiflexion angle (14.4° ± 3.6°, p < 0.001) and sagittal plane range of motion (15.3° ± 3.6°, p < 0.001) compared to the SAC. A reduced peak plantarflexion moment in the barefoot condition was trending towards significance (p = 0.072) compared to the SAC. Peak dorsiflexion angles were not significantly different between either zero-drop condition and SAC. The peak plantarflexion moment in the cushioned zero-drop condition was reduced compared to the standard condition (0.80 Nm/kg ± 0.36 Nm/kg, p = 0.008). A decrease of the peak ankle inversion moment in the non-cushioned zero-drop condition was also trending towards significance (p = 0.082). No significant differences were seen in the hip kinematic and moment variables. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that performing barbell back squats in either of the zero-drop conditions reduces the demands placed on the ankle joint compared to the SAC. Performing the barbell back squat barefoot provides the greatest reduction of stress to the ankle. Implication of these findings suggest that zero-drop footwear are effective to use while squatting in companion with other athletic footwear used for training.
Publication Year: 2017
Publication Date: 2017-05-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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