AI-Native Scoping Reviews & Evidence Mapping

Sports first aid remains uneven across coaches, PE teachers, athletes, and venues, with major gaps in BLS/AED readiness, dental trauma, concussion recognition, and emergency planning. This evidence map shows which practical training models, responder systems, and infrastructure strategies can strengthen real-world emergency preparedness in sport.

This review maps 29 original studies comparing barefoot, minimalist, mobility, and conventional footwear across gait biomechanics, foot morphology, stability, knee loading, and performance. It shows where barefoot-like footwear may be useful — fall-risk stability, intrinsic foot strength, and knee OA load reduction — and where conventional shoes still matter, especially for impact moderation and postoperative walking capacity.

This review turns 1,815 original studies and 919,224 participants into a structured evidence map showing when barefoot walking/running may improve mechanics, balance, foot strength, or knee loading — and when it becomes clinically risky. It is especially useful for clinicians, runners, coaches, and researchers who need a clear, citation-linked map of barefoot biomechanics, diabetic-foot risk, falls, infection exposure, and safe transition strategies.