The Effectiveness of Walking Close to Barefoot on Physical Balance Function and Walking Ability

Abstract

It was reported that toe flexor strength (TFS) was related to physical balance function and walking ability. Since barefoot walking has a situation to catch the ground by toes over and over again, it was supposed that barefoot walking elevate the TFS. But, effectiveness of barefoot walking on physical function is not clear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of walking close to barefoot on TFS, physical balance function and walking ability. Six healthy young males (22.2±2.3 years, 174.0±2.6 cm, 71.3±9.4 kg, 23.6±3.2 kg/m2, body fat: 19.1±5.3 %) without exercise habit were participated in this study. Subjects used five-finger shoes which sole is very thin for 6w after 4w control period. Balance function parameters, walking ability and TFS were measured every 2 weeks. Although all parameters were not changed after control period, TFS (pre: 26.8±2.8 kg, post: 35.1±4.8 kg, p=0.037) and tandem gait test (pre: 4.73±0.48 sec, post: 3.49±0.18 sec p=0.033) were significantly improved after intervention period. In addition, functional reach test (p=0.077) and maximum one-step length (p=0.054) tended to improve after five-finger shoes intervention. Center of gravity movement (both-legs and single-leg standing) and 10m walking time were not changed after intervention. Results of this study suggest that walking with five-finger shoes was effective on TFS and dynamic balance function.