Effects of strength exercise with shoes and barefoot on balance and postural stability in men and women

Abstract

Introduction: The practice of strength training without shoes contributes significantly to the increase in the rate of production of strength, power, and stability in the lower limbs. The use of shoes with padding contributes to the reduction of the plantar arch and hyperpronation of the ankles, a fact that contributes to postural instability, in addition to decreasing the strength and power of the movement. Objective: Investigate the acute effects on plantar pressure and distribution between men and women trained with and without shoes. Methods: This study had a randomized comparative feature. The 30 participants were submitted to anthropometric assessment, strength tests (Deadlift) and static stability (Baropodometry Platform), (pre-effort, post-effort, 5 min., 10 min. and 30 min. after effort) divided into 2 non-consecutive days. The static stability tests on the Baropodometry Platform occurred without shoes, and the strength tests, with and without shoes, randomly for both sexes. Results: Statistical results of volume training session, PSE training load during training and non-training load and the difference between men and women using barefoot. In the anteroposterior oscillation for barefoot men and women, it was significant after exertion. In the side-to-side sway for barefoot men and women, it showed a significant increase from 10 minutes after the effort. There were significant differences in men and women on the right and foot in maximal plantar surface area pressure (kgf/cm²), 10 min post-exertion between shoes vs. Barefoot. The maximum pressure of the plantar surface area (kgf/cm²) in the women's right foot was significantly lower 5 minutes after the effort for the climbing training, on the surface, the average pressure of the plant area (kgf/cm²) presented significance 10 min post-exertion between shoes vs. barefoot in men and women. And no significant difference was observed in plantar surface area (cm²) between men and women with shoes versus barefoot. Conclusion: This study showed a decrease in anteroposterior and latero-lateral sway for both barefoot sexes after exertion. Maximum and mean pressures also showed significant differences in both sexes after exertion. The women's right foot showed less distribution in maximum pressure 5 minutes after the effort. These data contribute to the qualitative and quantitative understanding of gender differences for stability after barefoot strength exercise.