None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The purpose of this study is to investigate the long-term impact of wearing minimalist school shoes on a child’s (9 – 12 yrs) foot muscles and balance. The hypothesis, based on previous research is that over time, with no externally imposed shoe movement restrictions (such as with normal stiff school shoes) the child’s balance will improve and their foot muscles will increase in size and strength.
Interventions
Minimalist shoes to be worn at school by the participants aged 9-12 years. Provided by Softstar - RunAmoc shoes
The participants were all fitted with standard sample sizes of the minimalist shoe during screening, which were provided by the manufacturer (Softstar) for this purpose. This ensured that the correct shoe size was ordered for each child.
The shoes were then ordered and produced in the USA based on their standard sizing. Participants wear the shoes as per school policy, 8 hours per d
Minimalist shoes to be worn at school by the participants aged 9-12 years. Provided by Softstar - RunAmoc shoes The participants were all fitted with standard sample sizes of the minimalist shoe during screening, which were provided by the manufacturer (Softstar) for this purpose. This ensured that the correct shoe size was ordered for each child. The shoes were then ordered and produced in the USA based on their standard sizing. Participants wear the shoes as per school policy, 8 hours per day for 3 normal school days and their own sports shoes on the 2 assigned "sports" days at school. The participants will be wearing the shoes for three full terms at school, from April to December. Parents complete a weekly brief survey to provide a guided estimate of shoe use per week.
Sponsors
Softstar
Study design
Allocation
Non-randomised trial
Intervention model
Other
Primary purpose
Prevention
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
9 Years to 12 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Healthy children between the ages of 9-12 years
Exclusion criteria
hypermobility, disability affecting testing, recent foot or limb injury, wearers of orthotics, obesity (due to the influence on the arch of the foot), gymnasts or dancers doing more than 4 hours per week (due to foot strength), or score above 7 on the Beighton and Horan Joint Mobility Index for ligament laxity.
Outcome results
None listed