Ground reaction forces and free moment using neutral, motion control, and minimalist shoes in forefoot runner females

Abstract

Despite advances in footwear industry, running related injuries (RRI) rate is high in female runners. Selection of proper shoe is a big challenge for runners. We aimed to compare the effects of running-induced fatigue on ground reaction forces and free moments while using neutral (N-Shoes), motion control (MC-Shoes), and minimalist shoes (M-Shoes) in forefoot runner females. Twenty recreational female forefoot runners completed fatiguing treadmill running protocol using M-Shoes, MC-Shoes and N-Shoes in three separated sessions. Participants ran on a runway at 3.3 m/s before and after fatiguing protocol in each session. Using N-shoes increased peak lateral force, peak braking force, peak propulsive force, peak vertical force, peak positive free moment, peak negative free moment, load rate, medio-lateral impulse, antero-posterior impulse and vertical impulse. Using MC-shoes, increased peak vertical and peak braking forces and vertical impulse, and decreased peak lateral force and peak negative and positive free moments. While, using M-shoes increased peak braking forces. Minimalist shoes maintain pre-fatigue ground reaction forces and free moments during fatigued running compared to neutral and motion control shoes in female forefoot runners. Using minimalist shoes is recommended to decrease exacerbated running-induced fatigue effects in forefoot runner females. © 2025 International Society of Biomechanics in Sports.