Abstract / Summary
Abstract Background This study examined changes in mobility-related functional outcomes, body composition, blood pressure, and blood biochemical markers during a community-based barefoot walking program for older adults. Methods In this non-randomized controlled community-based intervention, 30 adults aged 60–79 years were allocated to barefoot walking or usual-lifestyle control groups (n = 15 each); 25 completed the study (barefoot walking, n = 12; control, n = 13). Supervised sessions occurred three times weekly for 10 weeks, progressing from soft sand to combined sand-and-gravel surfaces. Outcomes were evaluated using two-way repeated-measures analysis of covariance controlling for age. Results Group × Time interactions were observed for the 2-min Step Test (F = 15.878, p < 0.001, partial η² = 0.419), 30-s Chair Stand Test (F = 6.606, p = 0.017, partial η² = 0.231), Figure-of-8 Walking Test (F = 6.506, p = 0.018, partial η² = 0.228), body fat mass (F = 5.813, p = 0.025, partial η² = 0.209), percent body fat (F = 4.800, p = 0.039, partial η² = 0.179), and waist circumference (F = 9.830, p = 0.005, partial η² = 0.309). Step-test performance increased from 113.33 ± 8.03 to 126.33 ± 10.68 repetitions in the barefoot group but decreased from 95.85 ± 13.37 to 91.00 ± 13.67 in controls. Blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, and lipid measures exhibited no significant interactions. Conclusions The observed pattern favored functional aerobic endurance and selected anthropometric measures, with no clear cardiometabolic response. Non-randomized allocation and the absence of a conventional shod-walking comparator preclude barefoot-specific causal inference. Trial registration Clinical Research Information Service (CRIS), Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, National Institute of Health, KCT0012556. Registered 4 September 2026. Retrospectively registered.