Science Fair Project
Run Like the Wind! 
Physics
Olivia Kem and Briana Rodriguez
Statement of the Problem
How does running with shoes on
affect running speeds compared to
being barefoot?
Project Overview
We wanted to know if people can run faster
with shoes on or barefoot. We did some
research and people said that you can have
less injuries having no shoes on, but never
said you can run faster. So, we did an
experiment and had five girls run, and we
timed them with shoes and barefoot.
Research on Topic!
 - The Indians of the Tarahumara Tribe were great runners and they
ran barefoot.
 - Prevents injuries
 - Humans were born to have the endurance to run barefoot.
 - You land on the heel of your foot when you run with shoes on, but
you land on the toes run barefoot.
 - Some people say that with the right training, you can actually run
faster barefoot.
Variables
 Independent variable: Shoes on /shoes off
 Dependent variable: Speed
 Constant variables: Same shoes, height,
weight, distance, location, and clothing.
 Control group: The times ran with shoes on.
Hypothesis
 Our hypothesis was if a person runs
barefoot then they will run faster than
with shoes on.
Materials
 Measuring tape
 Scale
 Meter Stick
 Vans
 Sophies/ Spandex
 Timer
 Camera
 Socks
Procedure
 1. Make sure every subject has the same shoes on (vans).
Collect data on the test subject.
 2. go to the gym and measure out 30 meters with
measuring tape.
 3. get any hazards out of the way.
 4. make the course that will be run.
 5. stretch for about five minutes ( flamingo stretch,
stretched hamstrings, stretched arms).
 6. test subject 1 will run barefoot.
 7. then the next subject record time until all have gone.
Procedure
 8. after running, everybody take a five minute break
and drink water.
 9. subjects will record their times in the same order
again barefoot.
 10. another five minute break and get water.
 11. then the subjects will run in the same order, but
with shoes on for the first time.
 12. another five minute break and get water.
Procedure
 13. the subjects will run in the same order for the
second time with shoes on and record time.
 14. graph the subjects’ times .
Pix!
Run like the Wind
Sub 5
T
e
s
t
S
u
b
j
e
c
t
s
Sub 4
S
Sub 3
B
Sub 2
Sub 1
4
4.5
Seconds
5
5.5
6
6.5
7
Conclusion
Our hypothesis was proved correct!
All our subjects ran faster barefoot
opposed to running with shoes on.
Possible Experimental Errors
Possible errors:
 Started/stopped the timer at the
wrong time.
 Didn’t run at full speed.
 Slipped on the floor.
 Wrote down the wrong time
Applications and Recommendations
 If someone else were to do this
experiment, they should make their
distance longer! It was such a short
distance it could have just been luck
that they ran faster! Also, they should
get more people to help them! If you
have more people, you have more data
to make a conclusion with!!!
Works Cited
"10 Reasons You Should Start Running Barefoot." The Personal Excellence Blog.
June-July 2010. Web. 12 May 2011. <http://celestinechua.com/blog/10-reasonsto-go-barefoot-running/>.
"Runing- No Shoes!" Enzine Articals. Oct.-Nov. 2010. Web. 12 May 2011.
<http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-Barefoot-Running-Helps-You-Run-Faster-andGet-Injured-Less&id=3352155>.
Burfoot, Amby. "The Barefoot Running Debate at Runner's World." Runner's
World: Running Shoes, Marathon Training, Racing. Mar.-Apr. 2009. Web. 12
May 2011. <http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-267--13401-21X2-3,00.html>.
"Barefoot Running Research and More." Strength Running — Injury Prevention
and Training Tips to Race Faster. Spring 2010. Web. 12 May 2011.
<http://strengthrunning.com/2010/08/barefoot-running-research/>.