The Influence of Minimalist and Maximalist Footwear on Patellofemoral Kinetics During Running

Abstract

The current study aimed to comparatively examine the effects of minimalist, maximalist and conventional footwear on the loads experienced by the patellofemoral joint during running. Twenty male participants ran over a force platform at 4.0 m.s-1. Lower limb kinematics were collected using an 8 camera motion capture system allowing patellofemoral kinetics to be quantified using a musculoskeletal modelling approach. Differences in patellofemoral kinetic parameters were examined using one-way repeated measures ANOVA. The results showed the peak patellofemoral force and pressure were significantly larger in conventional (4.70 ± 0.91 BW & 13.34 ± 2.43 MPa) and maximalist (4.74 ± 0.88 BW & 13.59 ± 2.63 MPa) compared to minimalist footwear (3.87 ± 1.00 BW & 11.59 ± 2.63 MPa). It was also revealed that patellofemoral force per mile was significantly larger in conventional (246.81 ± 53.21 BW) and maximalist (251.94 ± 59.17 BW) as compared to minimalist (227.77 ± 58.60 BW) footwear. As excessive loading of the patellofemoral joint has been associated with the aetiology of patellofemoral pain symptoms, the current investigation indicates that minimalist footwear may be able reduce runners susceptibility to patellofemoral disorders.