Presenter: Dallen James
Authors: Dallen James
Faculty Advisor: Sarah Ridge
Institution: Brigham Young University
Although minimalist footwear has been shown to strengthen foot muscles in younger adults, we do not know their effects on older adults and how this might influence dynamic balance. This is part of a bigger study that aimed to assess balance, foot strength, and foot muscle size over time in mid-life adults transitioning to wearing minimalist footwear. This abstract will discuss the findings of the balance data. Twenty-two adults participated in an 8-month study. Participants were randomly separated into Control (n=13; 55.9±5.30 years) and Minimalist (n=9; 55.9±5.18 years) groups. All were given activity monitors to track their daily step count. Participants in the Minimalist group were given 2 pairs of minimalist footwear. They were prescribed an amount to gradually increase the number of daily steps they took in minimalist shoes over 8 weeks. Dynamic balance (Y-balance test) was assessed at baseline (S1-before intervention), at 8 weeks (S2), and at 6 months (S3). This test involved pushing a plastic block anteriorly, medially, and laterally (3 times in each direction). The distance that the block was pushed was recorded. The averages of the trials were calculated and 2-way repeated-measures ANOVAs (time x group) were performed to determine changes in performance. Neither group showed significant changes in Y-balance performance over time (p=0.548, 0.919, and 0.838 for the anterior, lateral, and medial movements, respectively.) When all participants were grouped together, there was a significant increase in lateral reach distance between S1 and S3 (p=0.044). Daily use of minimalist footwear over 8 months did not appear to improve participants’ dynamic balance. From these preliminary results, it is difficult to determine the cause of these findings. In future analyses, we will assess foot strength and muscle size changes in these participants as well.