The latest trend in athletic footwear is the five-toed running shoes. There are claims that the five-toed shoes will help develop strength and mechanical efficiency. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine if an acute difference exists in postural sway between three different conditions; barefoot (BF), five-toed shoes (FT), and traditional running shoes (RS) without previous experience wearing five-toed shoes. METHODS: 49 healthy individuals (18 male, 31 female; avg. age = 23.12±2.63) performed a bilateral, tandem, and single leg balance tests with each of the three conditions (BF, FT, RS). All balance assessments were 10-second measures with eyes closed. A commercially available Smartphone with an application that accesses accelerometer outputs was used to determine postural sway. One trial was completed for each condition with a 4-minute rest between trials. RESULTS: No differences were observed between barefoot and five-toed shoes (p=0.576), barefoot and athletic shoes (p=0.521), or five-toed shoes and athletic shoes (p=0.901). CONCLUSIONS: For individuals with no previous experience wearing five-toed shoes there is no change in postural sway when compared to being barefoot or wearing traditional athletic shoes. This study assessed balance in individuals wearing five-toed shoes for the first time; further research should be conducted on balance and other parameters after a period of training with this type of footwear to assess the claims of improved mechanical efficiency.

The latest trend in athletic footwear is the five-toed running shoes. There are claims that the five-toed shoes will help develop strength and mechanical efficiency.Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if an acute difference exists in postural sway between three different conditions; barefoot (BF), five-toed shoes (FT), and traditional running shoes (RS) without previous experience wearing five-toed shoes.METHODS: 49 healthy individuals (18 male, 31 female; avg. age = 23.12±2.63) performed a bilateral, tandem, and single leg balance tests with each of the three conditions (BF, FT, RS). All balance assessments were 10-second measures with eyes closed. A commercially available Smartphone with an application that accesses accelerometer outputs was used to determine postural sway. One trial was completed for each condition with a 4-minute rest between trials.RESULTS: No differences were observed between barefoot and five-toed shoes (p=0.576), barefoot and athletic shoes (p=0.521), or five-toed shoes and athletic shoes (p=0.901).CONCLUSIONS: For individuals with no previous experience wearing five-toed shoes there is no change in postural sway when compared to being barefoot or wearing traditional athletic shoes. This study assessed balance in individuals wearing five-toed shoes for the first time; further research should be conducted on balance and other parameters after a period of training with this type of footwear to assess the claims of improved mechanical efficiency.