Performance Analysis and the Effect of Barefoot Running Training Program on Running Economy in Recreational Runners

Goh, Wei Jian (2018) Performance Analysis and the Effect of Barefoot Running Training Program on Running Economy in Recreational Runners. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University College.

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Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the effects of barefoot running training programme on running economy in recreational runners. The 6-weeks barefoot running training programme used in this study was adopted from Scott et al. (2014) based on the progressive training principle. The participants were delimited to recreational runners that studied at Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TARUC), they were total of 20 subjects with the aged from 18 – 24 years old. Subjects were divided into 2 groups which are experimental (n=10) and control group (n=10) by using random sample selection right after systematic counter balancing method based on the pre-test results (total z-score). Both groups have gone through a 6 weeks of intervention programme with twice a week of running training. Then, all participants were tested on ground reaction force using force-plate analysis, predicted VO2 max using 2.4km run test and stride kinematics using stride kinematics analysis. Data analysis have showed that there was no significant improvement (p>.05) in ground reaction force, predicted VO2 max and stride kinematics between both groups. Therefore, this result indicated that running with barefoot and running with shoes have not much difference.