Department of Exercise, Sport and Lifestyle Medicine

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Browsing Department of Exercise, Sport and Lifestyle Medicine by Subject "Agility"

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    The effect of barefoot training on speed, agility, power and balance in netball players
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2011-12) Venter, Ranel; De Villiers, Johanna Elsabe; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Education. Dept. of Sport Science.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The running industry has seen a lot of changes over the past years. Minimalistic footwear and barefoot training are redefining the running industry and community. These new developments have led to extensive research being conducted on the effects of barefoot running on kinetics, kinematics, energy expenditure and the prevention of injuries. Most of the shoe manufacturers have come up with an idea to mimic barefoot running. Barefoot running has shown to increase running economy and decrease impact forces. Inconclusive evidence exists as to whether barefoot training improves proprioception and muscle strength or reduces running-related injuries. The primary aim of the study was to determine the effects of barefoot training on speed, agility, power and balance in netball players. Twenty women netball players (age: 20 ± 2 years) volunteered for the study and were randomly assigned to the barefoot group (n = 10) and the shod group (n = 10). All participants had to attend at least 14 training sessions, where the barefoot group gradually increased the barefoot exercise time. Speed, agility, vertical jump height, single leg stability and lower leg circumferences were measured prior to and after completion of the intervention programme. At the completion of the intervention programme, participants had to give verbal feedback regarding their subjective experience of barefoot training. Seventy percent of the barefoot participants preferred barefoot training to shod training. The speed test showed a small improvement over 10-metres (P > 0.05), but not over 20-metres (P > 0.05).Agility had a significant improvement (0.14 seconds ± 0.10 seconds; P < 0.05) on the left and right leg (0.19 seconds ± 0.07 seconds; P < 0.05) for the barefoot group. There was also an improvement in the single leg stability with the right leg showing a significant improvement (P < 0.05) in anterior/posterior, medial/lateral and overall stability for the barefoot group. All except the left anterior/posterior index had a small practical effect post-intervention. No significant increases were found in the circumferences or the vertical jump height. The results show that barefoot training results in improved agility and single leg stability, compared to shod training. The effect it has on the prevention of injuries could not be determined, as the duration of the study was too short. In conclusion it can be deduced that barefoot training has a positive effect on agility and stability, thus possibly leading to improved performance.