Table 1.

Level of evidence for outcome categories

	Studies Included	Conclusion/Level of Evidence
Kinetics
Ground reaction forces	5,6,8,9,17,20,23	Moderate evidence suggestive of lowered maximum vertical GRF when barefoot
	8,17	Limited evidence suggestive of lowered max vertical GRF only during barefoot FFS
	20	Very limited evidence suggesting decreased medial-lateral and increased anterior-posterior GRF when barefoot
Impulse	9,27	Very limited evidence suggesting greater breaking and pushing impulses of plantar flexors during FFS Very limited evidence suggestive of differences in peak vertical or medial-lateral impulses while barefoot
Rate of loading	1,6,40,41	Very limited evidence suggestive of differences in loading rates when running barefoot, in minimalist shoe, or shod
Joint moments and power	3-5,20,39	Limited evidence suggesting less extension moment and power absorption at the knee when barefoot
	3,39	Limited evidence suggesting increased power generation and absorption at the ankle when barefoot
Kinematics
Foot-strike pattern	8,17,26,27,39,41	Limited evidence suggesting FFS is associated with barefoot running
Stride	3-6,10,13, 20,24,26,38,41	Moderate evidence suggesting barefoot running is associated with increased stride frequency, shorter stride length, and less ground contact time
Joint range of motion	3,18,39,41	Moderate evidence suggestive of decreased foot and ankle dorsiflexion at initial contact when barefoot
	41	Very limited evidence suggesting decreased ankle eversion at ground contact
	5,6,18,28	Moderate evidence suggesting increased knee flexion at ground contact and less knee flexion during stance when barefoot or in minimalist shoes
Running economy	10,13,16,27,35,38	Very limited evidence suggestive of significant difference in running economy between barefoot, shod, and minimalist shoes
EMG	1,26,39	Limited evidence suggests decreased peak tibialis anterior activity when barefoot FFS

EMG, electromyography; FFS, forefoot strike; GRF, ground reaction force.