Determining the Effects of Balance and Stability in College-Aged Students: Barefoot vs. Shod

Balance and stability are important concepts regarding the overall health of individuals from birth to advanced age. The purpose of the present study is to investigate and determine whether shoes have an effect on balance and stability in college aged students. A total of four tests will be used to test each subject on the Neurocom Balance Master. Each subject will perform a trial with shoes (shod), and then perform the same battery of tests, after an allotted wait period, without shoes (barefoot). The four tests that will be used from the Neurocom Balance Master are: Weight-Bearing Squat, Unilateral Stance, Limits of Stability, and Tandem Walk. The overall analysis will include analyzing the results from the Neurocom Balance Master for each subject, respectively. The present study seeks to conclude better recommendations for shod versus barefoot use in order to prevent injuries resulting in impaired balance and stability