The influence of 12-weeks of shod or barefoot strength and conditioning training on strength, agility, and speed: a comparison study.
Date of Award
Summer 6-1-2023
Document Type
Non Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Exercise Science
Department
Kinesiology
First Advisor
Brenda Davies
Abstract
The idea of barefoot training has grown in recent years, but the idea behind habitual barefoot training has been studied very little. Barefoot training can improve performance in many different ways, such as increased jumping, agility, and quickness. However, it is currently unknown if prolonged barefoot training can be implemented in a high school strength and conditioning program to promote improvements in these areas. This study focused on comparing shod training and barefoot training over a 12-week span. The hypothesis is that there will be an improvement in athletic strength, speed, and agility in both the shod and barefoot groups, but the barefoot group will see more improvement. To gauge these improvements athletes will be put through a series of test such as bench press, squat, power clean, 40 yard dash, and pro-agility. Strength coaches should be adding barefoot training to their athletes training in some compacity because When training barefoot, athletes will be able to become more agile and faster.