Key Takeaway
Minimalist shoes effectively increase intrinsic foot muscle strength by 9-57% and muscle size by 7-11%, offering a practical alternative to time-intensive physical therapy programs for foot strengthening.
Summary
This systematic review assessed the effectiveness of minimalist shoes as an intervention for increasing plantar intrinsic foot muscle size and strength. The authors searched PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus for studies published between January 2000 and March 2022 that used minimalist shoe interventions lasting at least 2 weeks with control groups.
Nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Results showed consistent improvements across all measured parameters. Foot muscle strength increased between 9% and 57% depending on the specific muscles and measurement methods. Muscle size, measured by volume, cross-sectional area, or thickness, increased between 7.05% and 10.6%.
The authors concluded that minimalist shoes may effectively increase intrinsic foot muscle size and strength in healthy individuals. They highlighted that minimalist shoes may also be more convenient than implementing time-intensive physical therapy programs, as they allow strengthening to occur passively during daily activities. Future research exploring minimalist shoes in clinical populations and improving intrinsic foot muscle assessment methods was recommended.
Methods
- Systematic review of 9 studies meeting inclusion criteria
- Databases searched: PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, SPORTDiscus (Jan 2000 to Mar 2022)
- Inclusion: minimalist shoe interventions of at least 2 weeks with control groups
- Outcomes measured: plantar intrinsic foot muscle size (volume, cross-sectional area, thickness) and strength
- Healthy individuals as study participants
Key Results
- Foot muscle strength increased between 9% and 57%
- Muscle size increased between 7.05% and 10.6%
- Significant increases across all measured parameters (strength, volume, CSA, thickness)
- Consistent positive effects across included studies
- Minimalist shoes shown to be a practical alternative to targeted physical therapy exercises
Limitations
- Only 9 studies met inclusion criteria, limiting statistical power
- Studies limited to healthy individuals only
- Heterogeneous measurement methods across studies
- Lack of standardized definition for minimalist shoes
- No long-term follow-up beyond intervention periods in most studies
- Clinical populations (e.g., flat feet, plantar fasciitis) not represented