The benefits of going barefoot
A new study shows that footwear can influence motor skill development
Researchers have found that children and teenagers tend to be better at jumping and balancing if they spend more time barefoot, compared to those who habitually wear shoes. There is growing evidence to suggest that footwear affects our natural movements, but this is the first study to investigate whether these biomechanical changes have an impact on motor skill development. 810 South African and German children between six and 18 years old took part in the study. The South African children, who were from rural Western Cape, often go barefoot, whereas the German children were from urban areas and wear shoes most of the time. Teams in both regions tested the children’s balance, sprinting abilities and how far they could jump from standing. Children who went without shoes scored much higher in the balance and jumping tests in all the age groups, but the difference was most evident in the younger children aged six to ten. In the sprint test, however, children performed better while wearing shoes. It is thought that the location (such as an indoor gymnasium) or the types of shoes used for the tests could explain these differences. Professor Astrid Zech from the University of Jena in Germany explained the impact of these findings. “Physical education classes, exercise and sport programmes, and reactional activities that aim to improve basic motor skills, could benefit from including barefoot activities. Parents could also encourage regular barefoot time at home.”