Search Results (143)

(1) Background: Falls are a major public health concern in older adults, largely due to age-related declines in proprioception and postural control. Although knee braces are commonly prescribed to enhance joint stability and sensory feedback, their effects on plantar pressure distribution remain unclear; (2) Methods: Thirteen community-dwelling older adults (mean age: 79.6 ± 3.2 years) participated in a repeated-measures study under three conditions: no brace, knee brace A, and knee brace B. Plantar pressure variables were assessed barefoot during quiet standing using a baropodometric platform. Conditions were compared using non-parametric Friedman tests; (3) Results: Significant differences were observed for left foot total surface area (p = 0.041) and left rearfoot surface area (p = 0.020). Compared with no brace, brace A increased plantar contact area, whereas brace B reduced it. No significant differences were found for pressure magnitude, load distribution, or right foot variables; (4) Conclusions: Knee braces induce subtle, brace-specific and lateralized changes in plantar pressure distribution, potentially reflecting altered postural control strategies. Although limited to specific variables, these effects may be clinically relevant for fall risk assessment and individualized knee brace prescription in older adults. Full article

Background: Long-distance hiking usually requires carrying a backpack, adding external load to the lower limbs and modifying plantar loading patterns. Excessive loads may contribute to overuse injuries, but quantitative evidence to support current recommendations on backpack weight is still scarce. This study aimed to examine how different backpack loads influence plantar pressure in long-distance hikers. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in adults who had walked at least 20 km during the previous 24 h. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were recorded, and barefoot plantar pressure was assessed using the Podoprint^® system under four conditions: without a backpack, with the habitual backpack, and with backpacks loaded to 10% and 20% of body weight. Static and dynamic plantar pressure parameters were analyzed using repeated-measures comparisons. Results: A progressive increase in plantar force was observed in both feet as backpack load increased. Compared with the unloaded condition, static forefoot pressure rose by 5.41% with a 10% load and by 8.73% with a 20% load (p = 0.005); rearfoot pressure increased by 5.01% and 10.17% (p = 0.015); and total foot pressure by 5.04% and 9.61% (p = 0.002). Loads above 10% of body weight significantly modified static plantar pressures and were associated with measurable changes during dynamic assessment. Conclusions: In long-distance hikers, carrying a backpack that exceeds approximately 10% of body weight leads to a clear, load-dependent increase in plantar pressure. These findings provide biomechanical support for recommendations that advise limiting backpack load to around 10% of body weight to reduce plantar stress during hiking. Full article

This article offers a comparative study of two closely linked constellations of early Ṣūfī thought: the ascetic–mystical program of al-Fuḍayl ibn ʿIyāḍ (d. 187/803) and that of his renowned disciple Bishr al-Ḥāfī (d. 227/841). Moving beyond hagiographic anecdote, the study advances the thesis that the pair articulate two complementary modalities of tawba (repentance) that generate distinct ascetic habitus and pedagogical lineages: al-Fudayl’s “ethic of awe” (fear, juridical redress, and renunciation of patronage) and Bishr’s “aesthetics of reverence” (beauty-induced modesty, evident humility, and fame avoidance). Drawing on primary sources (Ḥilyat al-Awliyāʾ, al-Sulamī’s Ṭabaqāt al-Ṣūfiyya, al-Qushayrī’s Risāla, al-Sarrāj’s Lumaʿ), the article reconstructs each thinker’s core concepts, practices (e.g., returning wrongs, ḥafāʾ/barefoot humility), and teaching styles and maps how the teacher–disciple nexus transmits, adapts, and ritualizes these ethics into durable Ṣūfī dispositions. Methodologically, the article combines close textual analysis with practice theory to show how emotions—such as fear and modesty (ḥayāʾ)—are choreographed into public, socially legible acts, thus reframing repentance as embodied discipline rather than interior feeling alone. A prosopographic appendix traces transmission from al-Fudayl to Bishr to Sarī al-Saqaṭī and al-Junayd, clarifying how each modality survives in later Baghdad sobriety and Malāmatī self-effacement. The contribution is twofold: first, it supplies a granular typology of early Ṣūfī repentance that explains divergent stances toward money, publicity, and power; second, it models how to read early Ṣūfī biography as anthropology of practice, recovering the lived grammar by which “conversion stories” become social programs. In doing so, the article nuances standard narratives of early Ṣūfism, showing that Bishr is not merely al-Fuḍayl’s echo but a creative reframer whose “reverential” path complements—rather than imitates—the awe-driven ethic associated with al-Fuḍayl. Full article

Background: Footwear may influence paediatric gait biomechanics, yet evidence across footwear types and barefoot conditions remains heterogeneous. This review aimed to synthesise evidence on how footwear affects gait biomechanics in children and adolescents compared with barefoot walking, and to conduct exploratory meta-analyses when feasible. Methods: We performed a PRISMA-guided systematic review (PubMed and Scopus; inception to November 2025) including participants < 18 years with gait outcomes assessed under barefoot and/or defined footwear conditions. Outcomes included spatiotemporal, kinematic, kinetic, and plantar-pressure variables. Risk of bias was assessed with ROBINS-I. Random-effects meta-analyses (inverse-variance) were conducted only when ≥2 studies reported comparable outcomes. Results: Twenty-two studies were included; most were observational with overall moderate-to-serious risk of bias, mainly due to confounding and participant selection. Quantitative synthesis (exploratory): Meta-analyses were possible only for ankle plantarflexion (k = 2) and stride length (k = 3) and showed non-significant pooled effects with extreme heterogeneity (I² > 90%) and wide prediction intervals. Narrative synthesis: For other outcomes, heterogeneity in designs, footwear definitions, and measurement protocols precluded pooling; conventional footwear may reduce metatarsophalangeal mobility and alter kinematics and plantar pressure in some contexts, while minimalist/biomimetic features may approximate barefoot-like values for selected parameters without implying equivalence. Conclusions: Footwear exposure in childhood may affect several gait-related parameters, but the certainty of evidence is low to moderate due to risk of bias, inconsistency, and imprecision. Standardised footwear classifications, harmonised gait protocols, and longitudinal studies are needed to clarify developmental implications and inform evidence-based guidance. Full article

Background: Video-based biomechanical running gait analysis is widely used to optimise technique, guide footwear selection, and identify orthopaedic risk factors. Despite the increasing availability of such assessments, it is often assumed—without strong empirical support—that key kinematic parameters of running gait remain stable over short periods of time. This study aimed to examine the short-term stability of key joint angles during running using a standard 2D video-based kinematic analysis. Specifically, it was investigated whether these angles change within the first 4 min of treadmill running under three defined conditions: barefoot at 12 km h⁻¹, shoed at 12 km h⁻¹, and shoed at 14 km h⁻¹, in a homogeneous sample of twelve young, trained, male recreational soccer players. Methods: Participants completed three four-minute runs. Joint angles were quantified manually from 2D video recordings. Temporal variation was analysed using repeated-measures statistics, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), and minimal detectable changes (MDCs). Results: Six out of nine joint angles showed statistically significant temporal changes, mainly in hip extension, knee flexion, the Duchenne angle, the Trendelenburg angle, the leg axis angle, and heel-bottom angle. Lower leg angle and Achilles tendon angle remained stable. ICCs showed moderate to excellent agreement, indicating high within-session consistency across all angles. Discussion: Under the applied study protocol, significant short-term variations were observable in several joint angles during the first four minutes of running. These findings highlight the importance of analysing multiple strides and considering measurement uncertainty when interpreting short-duration running kinematics. Full article

Two-legged hopping is a well-established model for assessing leg stiffness; however, in existing studies, it is unclear whether the trial segment selection affects the results. This study aimed to assess if the selected hopping segment alters the value and individual variability (%CVind) of leg stiffness and kinetic performance metrics. Elite women athletes (42, volleyball, basketball, handball) and 14 non-athletic women performed barefoot two-legged hopping (130 bpm) on a force-plate (Kistler, 9286AA, sampling at 1000 Hz). Leg stiffness was estimated from the Fz registration (resonant frequency method). Four cumulative range segments (1–10, 1–20, 1–30, and 1–40 hops) and three segments of 10-hop subranges (11–20, 21–30, and 31–40) were analyzed (repeated measures one-way Anova, p ≤ 0.05, SPSS v30.0). The hopping segment did not significantly alter the leg stiffness value (segment average 30.6 to 31.2 kN/m) or its %CVind (segment average ≈ 3%). The kinetic performance metrics depicted a solid foundation for the extracted leg stiffness value, with %CVind not exceeding 6.2%. The results indicate a data collection of just 15 hops, in continuance reduced to a 10 hops segment (after excluding the first five to avoid neuromuscular adaptation) as a robust reference choice. Full article

Nature-based activities have been linked to psychophysical restoration, but the role of individual baseline conditions in predicting recovery remains unclear. This study examined whether baseline stress levels and mental wellbeing influence psychophysical recovery after an immersive barefooting experience, and whether sociodemographic factors (sex and education) and access to green spaces moderate these effects. A convenience sample of 249 adults (58% female, mean age 45 years) voluntarily participated in a structured barefooting trail in two Italian parks and, after the activity, completed post-experience self-report questionnaires using validated scales (Perceived Stress Scale, Restorative Outcome Scale, and Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale). Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that higher baseline mental wellbeing significantly predicted greater psychophysical recovery, while short-term perceived stress did not. None of the tested interactions with sex, education level, or access to green space were significant. These results suggest that mental wellbeing, rather than recent stress, may be a key factor in maximizing restorative experiences in immersive nature-based activities, and that this effect appears consistent across sociodemographic and environmental contexts. While preliminary, these findings highlight the potential of barefoot walking and similar multisensory activities as low-cost strategies to maintain and enhance psychological wellbeing. Full article

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a structured barefoot walking program on menopausal symptoms, sleep quality, stress, and quality of life in middle-aged women experiencing menopausal symptoms. Methods: A quasi-experimental design with a nonequivalent control group and pretest-posttest was used. Community-dwelling women aged 45 to 65 years residing in Wonju, Republic of Korea, were recruited and assigned to either an experimental (n = 29) or control group (n = 31). The intervention consisted of 12 weeks of barefoot walking (three times per week, 60 min per session). Outcome measures included the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), Verran and Snyder–Halpern Sleep Scale, Stress Response Inventory, and WHOQOL-BREF. In addition, changes in participants’ body composition before and after the intervention were assessed using a bioelectrical impedance analyzer (InBody 770). Data were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U test, repeated measures ANOVA, ANCOVA, and other relevant statistical methods, with the level of significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Compared with the control group, the experimental group showed significant improvements in menopausal symptoms (z = −5.59, p < 0.001), stress (z = −3.58, p < 0.001), and quality of life (z = −3.47, p = 0.001). A significant time-by-group interaction effect was observed for sleep quality (F = 7.53, p = 0.008). No significant changes were found in body composition. Conclusion: Barefoot walking represents a promising, low-cost, community-based intervention for alleviating menopausal symptoms, enhancing sleep quality, reducing stress and improving quality of life in middle-aged women experiencing menopausal symptoms. Further randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm these findings. Full article

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a serious complication of diabetes and a leading cause of lower-limb amputations. Excessive plantar pressure in high-risk regions such as the heel and forefoot contributes significantly to their development. This study presents the design, simulation, and three-dimensional prototyping of customised diabetic insoles aimed at redistributing pressure and reducing ulcer risk. Insole models are created in Autodesk Inventor, evaluated with finite element analysis (FEA) in ANSYS Workbench, and fabricated using 3D printing technology. Three designs are evaluated, i.e., a standard insole, a circular-cutout insole, and an irregular-cutout insole, using four different materials, i.e., Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA)1, EVA2, EVA3, and polyurethane (PU). Under applied pressure of 0.3 MPa by a diabetic foot, a customised EVA1 insole reduces barefoot peak stress from 3.97 MPa to 1.51 MPa (61.96% reduction), while irregular isolations lower ulcer-rim stress from 0.87 MPa to 0.63 MPa (27.8% reduction). EVA-based insoles outperformed the PU one, and prototypes are successfully printed in EVA and PU, demonstrating feasibility for low-cost and patient-specific applications. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study investigated the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to identify and match barefoot prints belonging to the same individual on soft and sandy soil substrates. Recognizing footprints on soil is challenging due to low contrast and variability in impressions. Methods: We introduce Deep Learning Footprint Identification Technology (DeepFIT), based on a modified You Only Look Once (YOLOv11s) algorithm, using three methods, namely, Bounding Box (BBox), 16 anatomical landmarks, and automatically segmented outlines (Auto-Seg). An Extra Small Detection Head (XSDH) was added to improve feature extraction at smaller scales and enhance generalization through multi-scale supervision, reducing overfitting to specific spatial patterns. Results: Forty adults (20 males, 20 females) participated, with 600 images per individual. As the number of individuals in model training increased, the BBox model’s accuracy declined, resulting in misclassification on the test set. The average performance accuracy across both substrates was 77% for BBox, 90% for segmented outlines, and 96% for anatomical landmarks. Conclusions: The landmark method was the most reliable for identifying and matching barefoot prints on both soft and sandy soils. This approach can assist forensic practitioners in linking suspects to crime scenes and reconstructing events from footprint evidence, providing a valuable tool for forensic investigations. Full article

Background/Objectives: The popularity of barefoot and minimalist footwear training has increased in recent years, yet its impact on foot strength, morphology, and functional outcomes remains unclear, particularly in strength-training contexts beyond running-focused studies. Although some biomechanical and anecdotal evidence exists, no systematic review has specifically addressed the effects of foot-specific strength training interventions performed barefoot or with minimalist footwear. This review aimed to evaluate the effects of barefoot and minimalist footwear strength training interventions on foot muscle structure, force production, and neuromuscular function in healthy and athletic adults. Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA and PICOS guidelines (PROSPERO number CRD420251134329). Comprehensive database searches were performed in July 2025. Eligible studies included barefoot or minimalist strength interventions in healthy and sportive adults, assessing outcomes related to foot muscle morphology, strength, functional performance, or neuromuscular adaptations. Methodological quality was evaluated using the PEDro and MINORS scales. Results: Seven studies involving 213 participants met the inclusion criteria. Most interventions led to significant improvements in intrinsic and extrinsic foot muscle volume, medial arch function, toe flexor strength, and neuromuscular control. Adaptations were particularly evident in interventions combining strength, balance, and agility exercises over multiple weeks. However, heterogeneity in protocols and outcome measures limited comparability. Some studies reported morphological gains without proportional improvements in strength or function. Conclusions: Barefoot and minimalist strength training can elicit beneficial morphological and functional adaptations in the foot. Nevertheless, inconsistencies in study design, small sample sizes, absence of follow-up assessment and lack of standardized protocols highlight the need for high-quality research to guide training recommendations beyond running-focused populations. Full article

The interaction between equine hooves and various ground surfaces is a critical factor for injury prevention and performance in modern equestrian sports. Accurate measurement of surface grip is essential for evaluating the effectiveness of different hoof protection systems. This study introduces the Vienna Grip Tester (VGT), a novel sensor-based device developed to quantify rotational resistance—an important parameter for assessing hoof–surface interaction. The VGT utilizes a torque wrench and spring-loaded mechanism to simulate lateral hoof movements under a standardized vertical load (~700 N), enabling objective grip measurements across different conditions. Twenty combinations of hoof protection (barefoot, traditional iron shoe, and two glue-on models) and surfaces (sand, sand with fiber at 25 °C and −18 °C, frozen sand, and turf) were tested, yielding 305 torque measurements. Statistical analysis (repeated-measures ANOVA with Bonferroni correction) revealed significant differences in grip among surface types and hoof protection systems. Frozen surfaces (SDAF (31 ± 8.9 Nm and SDF 33 ± 8.7 Nm, p < 0.001) exhibited the highest grip, while dry sand (SDA (18.3 ± 3.3 Nm, p < 0.001) showed the lowest. Glue-on shoes (glue-on grip, 26 ± 10 Nm; glue-on, 25 ± 10 Nm) consistently provided superior grip compared to traditional or unshod hooves (bare hoof, 21 ± 7 Nm). These results validate the VGT as a reliable and practical tool for measuring hoof–surface grip, with potential applications in injury prevention, hoof protection development, and surface optimization in equestrian sports. Full article

This paper explores the concept of diasporic hybridity through Hanshan’s (Cold Mountain) life and poetry during the Tang dynasty (618–907). Departing from traditional diaspora models of forced migration, Hanshan’s voluntary exile from the Confucian-dominated capital to the spiritually diverse Tiantai Mountain reveals how internal dislocation can foster hybrid religious identities. Through a close reading of his poetry and spiritual journey, this study argues that Hanshan embodies the Chinese philosophy of Hehe (和合), which is a model of religious pluralism grounded in “harmony through difference.” By integrating Homi Bhabha’s “third space” theory and Arjun Appadurai’s “diaspora landscape,” the paper demonstrates how Hanshan’s engagement with Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism presents a dynamic framework for understanding interreligious dialog. Hanshan’s hybrid spiritual identity thus offers a transhistorical lens for reimagining religious pluralism in both historical and contemporary contexts. Full article

Background: Foot injuries are common among Umrah pilgrims due to prolonged walking, overcrowded conditions, and inadequate preventive measures, such as inappropriate footwear or walking barefoot. Despite their potential impact on mobility and overall pilgrimage experience, these conditions remain underreported and insufficiently addressed in public health strategies. Objectives: This study aims to assess the prevalence and types of foot problems among Umrah pilgrims, examine their associations with demographic characteristics and comorbidities, analyze the utilization of medical attention for foot pain, and assess the use of preventive measures to reduce foot-related health risks during the pilgrimage. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted throughout the 2024 G (1445 H) Umrah season at the Grand Mosque, Makkah. The study recruited 1138 Umrah pilgrims aged 18 and older who performed the pilgrimage. A structured questionnaire was administered to collect data on demographic characteristics, chronic diseases, foot conditions, medical-attention-seeking behavior, and preventive practices. Pilgrims with pre-existing foot conditions were excluded from participation. Results: Foot diseases were reported by 46% of participants. The most common foot injuries included sprains/strains (18.7%) and muscle pain/cramps (4.9%), with the leg and forefoot being the most affected areas. Significant associations were observed between foot diseases and lower education levels (p = 0.03), chronic liver disease (p = 0.04), and cardiovascular disease (p = 0.04). Despite the high prevalence of foot-related conditions, only 9.6% sought medical attention, and 14.9% reported using preventive measures. Conclusions: The study highlights a substantial burden of foot problems among Umrah pilgrims, with limited utilization of healthcare services and preventive strategies. Targeted interventions, including educational campaigns and improved screening for high-risk individuals, are essential for enhancing foot health and ensuring a safer pilgrimage experience. Full article

Some of Spain’s greatest humanists—Juan Luis Vives, Antonio de Nebrija, Juan de Ávila, Luis de León, and Benito Arias Montano—were from a converso background. Recent scholarship suggests that two of the three most influential religious movements in sixteenth-century Spain—Juan de Ávila’s evangelical movement and Teresa of Ávila’s Barefoot Carmelites—were founded by conversos and presented converso membership, whose winds of religious innovation to tame Christian Orthodoxy and Counter-Reformation Spanish society, through the influence of Italian Humanism and reform, prioritized spiritual practice, social toleration, and religious concord. Indeed, Santa Teresa de Ávila, a major innovator within the Spanish Church, was herself from a converso family with Jewish ancestry. She became a key female theologist who transcended as an identity marker of the Spanish Baroque, conceived as quintessential of the Spanish Golden Age. Coopted in different periods, she “reappeared” in the 1930s as Patron of the Sección Femenina de la Falange y de las JONS, the women’s branch of the new radical right, turning into a role model of femininity for highly conservative religious women. Consecrated as “Santa de la Raza”, she became the undisputable womanized icon of the so-called “Spanish Crusade”, the slogan which General F. Franco implemented, with the approval of the Spanish Catholic Church, to re-cast in a pseudo-theological narrative the rebellion against the Spanish Second Republic in July 1936. This article examines different appropriations of the figure of Teresa de Ávila as a pillar of “Hispanidad”, in the last centuries within the changing sociopolitical contexts and theological debates in which this instrumentalization appeared. By highlighting the plasticity of this converso figure, the article suggests possible lines of research regarding the Jewish origins of some national icons in Spain. Full article