Abstract

The aim of this investigation was to examine running biomechanics in minimal, maximal and conventional running shoes using a musculoskeletal simulation approach to evaluate their effects on whole-body and muscle-level metabolic power.
Fifteen healthy male runners completed overground trials in all three footwear conditions at a controlled speed of 4.0 m/s. Kinematic data were collected using an eight-camera motion-capture system, and ground reaction forces were obtained from an in-ground force plate. Musculoskeletal simulations quantified whole-body metabolic power as well as joint and muscle-level mechanical and metabolic outputs. Comparisons between footwear conditions were performed using linear mixed-effects models with repeated measures. Whole-body metabolic power did not differ between maximal (11.35W/kg), minimal (11.07W/kg) and conventional (11.26W/kg) shoes. In contrast, joint mechanics and muscle-level energetics showed significant differences. Knee power generation and absorption were significantly greater in maximal (generation=8.05; absorption=−18.07W/kg) and conventional (generation=8.20; absorption=−17.00W/kg) footwear than in minimal (generation=6.53; absorption=−12.81W/kg). Ankle power generation and absorption were significantly higher in minimal footwear (generation=15.89; absorption=−11.96W/kg) than in conventional (generation=14.23; absorption=−10.40W/kg) or maximal (generation=13.15; absorption=−9.37W/kg) footwear. Stance-limb peak knee extensor power was higher in conventional (6.38W/kg) and maximal (5.85W/kg) than in minimal (5.48W/kg) footwear. Whole-body metabolic power did not differ between footwear conditions, yet distinct changes in joint mechanics and muscle-level metabolic power were observed. In minimal footwear, these changes reflected a shift in the distribution of mechanical and metabolic work from the knee to the ankle.