Effects of Different Sports Shoes and Bare Feet on Static and Dynamic Balance In Healthy Females: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Static and dynamic balance can be influenced by many factors. However, there is limited evidence regarding the effects that shoe sole hardness may have on balance. The aim of our study was to investigate effects of different sports shoes and bare feet on static and dynamic balance in healthy female individuals. Seventeen female participants were included in our study. All participants were assessed with bare feet, hard-support sports shoes and soft-foam sports shoes. The order of the assessment for each participant was randomly determined using an online random allocation software. The SportKAT 3000® device was used to assess dynamic double feet, static double feet, dominant foot and non-dominant foot balance. Static balance showed no significant difference between bare feet, hard-support and soft-foam sports shoes (pdouble feet=0.390, pdominant side=0.465, pnon-dominant side=0.494). Difference for dynamic balance was statistically significant between bare foot, soft-foam and hard-support sports shoes (p=0.003). When investigating this difference in dynamic balance with dual comparisons, significant differences were confirmed between hard-support and bare foot (p=0.010) and between soft-foam and bare foot (p=0.001). No difference in static balance is present between the no-shoe and both shoe conditions. Different outcomes regarding dynamic balance were observed between bare feet and both shoe conditions. However, hard surface and soft surface shoes did not differ during the dynamic task condition. Therefore, the purchase of a running shoe may be decided according to the preferred footwear.