Running barefoot is better than running with shoes for your working memory. In our research, participants ran both barefoot and shod (wearing shoes) at a comfortable, self-selected pace. Working memory was measured before and after running.
*Barefoot: Working memory improved after participants ran barefoot, but not with shoes.
*Time: Improvements after just 16 minutes of running
*Attention: Working memory improved when participants focused on targets on the ground when running.