• Falak Kanabar
• Dr. Anil Kumar Mishra

Despite the growing popularity of barefoot running, the effects of barefoot athletic training on important fitness variables of recreational marathon runners remain unclear. While some studies suggest that barefoot running may improve running economy and reduce injury risk, others have raised concerns about the potential for increased stress and fatigue. This randomized controlled trial aimed to investigate the effects of barefoot athletic training on motor fitness variables in recreational marathon runners, providing valuable insights for athletes, coaches, and clinicians. A total of 130 recreational marathon runners participated in this study, which employed a randomized controlled design. Participants were evenly divided into an experimental group (n = 65) and a control group (n = 65). Motor fitness variables were assessed at baseline and immediately following the 12-week barefoot training intervention. Data analysis utilized a combination of parametric and non-parametric tests, dependent on the normality of the data distribution. Results revealed significant improvements in motor fitness within both groups, with the experimental group demonstrating significantly greater improvements (p < 0.001) compared to the control group with between-group analyses. In conclusion, this randomized controlled trial provides evidence that 12 weeks of barefoot athletic training improves motor fitness variables in recreational marathon runners. The significant improvements observed in the experimental group compared to the control group suggest that barefoot training may be a valuable adjunct to traditional training programs. These findings have important implications for athletes, coaches, and clinicians seeking to optimize running performance and reduce injury risk. The study's results support the integration of barefoot training into existing training programs, and highlight the need for further research to explore the mechanisms underlying these improvements. Ultimately, this study demonstrates the potential of barefoot athletic training to enhance motor fitness and improve overall running performance in recreational marathon runners.

Recreational marathon runners, motor fitness variables, barefoot athletic training, training for runners.

"EFFECTS OF BAREFOOT ATHLETIC TRAINING ON MOTOR FITNESS VARIABLES IN RECREATIONAL MARATHON RUNNERS – A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 7, page no.f243-f248, July-2024, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2407535.pdf

"EFFECTS OF BAREFOOT ATHLETIC TRAINING ON MOTOR FITNESS VARIABLES IN RECREATIONAL MARATHON RUNNERS – A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 7, page no. ppf243-f248, July-2024, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2407535.pdf