earticle

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Purpose: The study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of barefoot walking on balance abilities. Significant enhancements were observed in dynamic foot pressure and the Y balance test, indicating improved balance abilities. Methods: A total of 25 young adults participated in performing dynamic foot pressure and Y balance tests before and after barefoot walking. Barefoot walking was performed for each participant at a comfortable pace for a duration of 20 minutes. Results: As a result, after performing 20 minutes of barefoot walking, there were significant improvements in anteroposterior variability (p=0.023) in dynamic foot pressure indicators. Additionally, the composite results of the Y balance test showed significant improvements for both the right and left sides (p<.001). Conclusion: The direct stimulation of the ground and intrinsic foot muscles through barefoot walking, coupled with aerobic exercise, has a notable impact on balance. Future studies are necessary to explore the sustainability of these immediate effects over the long term and compare the effectiveness with regular walking, ideally incorporating control groups.