Running in new and worn shoes: a comparison of three types of cushioning footwear (original) (raw)
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Human Movement Science, 2011
This study compared the biomechanical adaptation to running shoe degradation between the dominant (D) and non-dominant (ND) leg. Twenty-four runners performed a pre-test in the laboratory, completed 200 miles of road running in a pair of assigned shoes and then returned for a post-test. Kinetic and kinematic data of running in new and worn shoes were collected. Repeated measures ANOVA (Shoe  Leg) were used to analyze temporal, kinetic and kinematic variables (a = .05). A symmetry index (SI) was calculated for the temporal and kinetic variables and paired t-tests were used to compare the SI between shoe conditions. Stance time increased by approximately 7 ms in worn shoes (p = .027). Bilateral differences in the kinematic change (Shoe  Leg interaction) were seen in the torso (p < .05), knee (p < .05), marginally at the hip (p < .10) but not the ankle. No difference in kinetic variables or SI was observed. When running in worn shoes, the torso displayed reduced forward lean for both sides and to a greater extent during the D leg strike. The D hip and knee showed a more extended position for the worn shoe condition while an increased flexion was observed in the ND leg. Most of the kinematic differences observed were small and within the intra-subject variability measured during the same session. Future studies may consider performing a three-dimensional analysis at a higher sample rate and further explore whether asymmetrical adaptation is related to running injuries.
Kinesiology, 2018
A new running shoe cushioning technology has been developed intending to dampen the landing impulse during running while allowing a powerful and direct push-off. We aimed to compare this newly developed technology to traditional running shoes in regard to endurance performance, spatiotemporal stride characteristics, ground reaction forces, and muscle activity. In a randomized crossover design, 13 recreational runners (age 24.9±1.2 years, height 1.68±0.07 m, body mass 62.8±6.0 kg, weekly running distance >30 km) were tested twice, once with their own traditional shoes and (with a 2-week run-in and a 6-week wash-out period) with shoes featuring the new technology. The two-day testing procedure consisted of a graded exercise running test to assess lactate threshold (LT) on day one. On the following day, muscle activity, ground reaction forces and spatiotemporal stride characteristics at two velocities (80% and 95% LT velocity) were recorded on an instrumented treadmill. Finally, 4 k...
Footwear Science, 2011
condition compared to all others except for the other footwear condition (p 5 0.001). While peak AJC eversion angle was greater for both footwear conditions, TIR was less when running in footwear (p 5 0.001). The peak eversion findings may be related to rearfoot motion being over estimated due to tracking the heel counter and not the foot for footwear conditions (Stacoff et al. 1992). The thigh segment angle at TD and peak TIR supported adjustments being made due to mode of cushioning. Conclusion Both magnitude of cushioning and mode of cushioning affected kinematics while running. Kinematic adaptations while running barefoot versus running shod are not solely due to cushioning differences.
Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 2014
Objectives: To investigate the relationships between the perception of comfort and biomechanical parameters (plantar pressure and ground reaction force) during running with four different types of cushioning technology in running shoes. Design: Randomized repeated measures. Methods: Twenty-two men, recreational runners (18-45 years) ran 12 km/h with running shoes with four different cushioning systems. Outcome measures included nine items related to perception of comfort and 12 biomechanical measures related to the ground reaction forces and plantar pressures. Repeated measure ANOVAs, Pearson correlation coefficients, and step-wise multiple regression analyses were employed (p ≤ 0.05). Results: No significant correlations were found between the perception of comfort and the biomechanical parameters for the four types of investigated shoes. Regression analysis revealed that 56% of the perceived general comfort can be explained by the variables push-off rate and pressure integral over the forefoot (p = 0.015) and that 33% of the perception of comfort over the forefoot can be explained by second peak force and push-off rate (p = 0.016).
Journal of sports sciences, 2017
This study investigated the immediate and short-term effects of minimalist shoes (MS) and traditional running shoes (TRS) on vertical loading rates, foot strike pattern and lower limb kinematics in a group of habitual barefoot runners. Twelve habitual barefoot runners were randomly given a pair of MS or TRS and were asked to run with the prescribed shoes for 1 month. Outcome variables were obtained before, immediate after and 1 month after shoe prescription. Average and instantaneous vertical loading rates at the 1-month follow-up were significantly higher than that at the pre-shod session (P < 0.034, η(2)p > 0.474). Foot strike angle in the TRS group was significantly lower than that in the MS group (P = 0.045, η(2)p = 0.585). However, there was no significant time nor shoe effect on overstride, knee and ankle excursion (P > 0.061). Habitual barefoot runners appeared to land with a greater impact during shod running and they tended to have a more rearfoot strike pattern wh...
Footwear Science, 2012
Background: Barefoot running has been the subject of much attention in footwear biomechanics literature, based on the supposition that it serves to reduce the occurrence of overuse injuries in comparison to conventional shoe models. This consensus has led footwear manufacturers to develop shoes that aim to mimic the mechanics of barefoot locomotion. Objectives: This study compared the impact kinetics and three-dimensional (3-D) joint angular kinematics observed while running barefoot, in conventional cushioned running shoes and in shoes designed to integrate the perceived benefits of barefoot locomotion. The aim of the current investigation was therefore to determine whether differences in impact kinetics exist between the footwear conditions and whether shoes that aim to simulate barefoot movement patterns can closely mimic the 3-D kinematics of barefoot running. Method: Twelve participants ran at 4.0 m s−1 (±5%) in each footwear condition. Angular joint kinematics from the hip, knee and ankle in the sagittal, coronal and transverse planes were measured using an eight-camera motion analysis system. In addition, simultaneous tibial acceleration and ground reaction forces were obtained. Impact parameters and joint kinematics were subsequently compared using repeated-measures analyses of variance (ANOVAs). Results: The kinematic analysis indicated that, in comparison to the conventional and barefoot-inspired shoes, running barefoot was associated with significantly greater plantar–flexion at footstrike and range of motion to peak dorsiflexion. Furthermore, the kinetic analysis revealed that, compared to the conventional footwear, impact parameters were significantly greater in the barefoot condition. Conclusions: This study suggests that barefoot running is associated with impact kinetics linked to an increased risk of overuse injury when compared to conventional shod running. Furthermore, the mechanics of the shoes that aim to simulate barefoot movement patterns do not seem to closely mimic the kinematics of barefoot locomotion.
Immediate and short-term adaptations to maximalist and minimalist running shoes
Footwear Science, 2018
Biomechanical response to running footwear has been studied with regard to traditional shoes and, more recently, minimalist (MIN) shoes. Maximalist (MAX) shoes have grown in popularity as a highly-cushioned counterpoint to MIN shoes. However, little is known about the influence of MAX shoes on running biomechanics alone or in comparison to a MIN shoe design. Because many features of the MIN and MAX shoe are similar (low heel-to-toe drop, minimal stability) with one distinguishing characteristic (cushioning), the primary purpose was to contrast immediate and short-term adaptations to these extreme footwear types. Thirty runners were randomly assigned either the MIN or MAX shoe and ran for four weeks in their assigned shoe. Spatiotemporal measures, vertical ground reaction forces (GRF), lower leg and foot accelerations, and foot strike angle were assessed in the runners' native shoes and both experimental shoes prior to and following the four-week exposure period. Foot strike angle was significantly more plantarflexed and vertical GRF loading rates were significantly higher in both experimental shoes. Running in MIN shoe resulted in higher shank accelerations and lower heel accelerations. Changes from the native shoe were not uniform between the MIN and MAX shoe. No further adaptation was noted at four weeks for either shoe. However, over half the runners using the MIN shoe became injured. Runners appear to immediately respond to changes in heel-toe drop and level of cushioning when running in an unfamiliar shoe. Initial response does not appear to change over a four-week period of running in the unfamiliar shoe. Choosing a MAX shoe may be less risky than MIN shoes when shifting from traditional running footwear, particularly in the initial month of exposure.
Proceedings, 2020
The aim of this study is to investigate the link between the cushioning feature of running shoes in objective and subjective measurements (OM and SM). In OM, four insoles materials were chosen after impact tests (S1 = 12.6 g, S2 = 7.2 g, G = 11.54 g, and E = 32.41 g). In SM (n = 19), perceived cushioning comfort of insoles was measured using pairwise comparison tests and a Visual analogue scale (VAS) during running. Lower impact peak (IP) leads to greater perceived comfort of cushioning only between S1, S2 and G. But insole E with the highest IP was rated as the most comfortable in cushioning. Its relationship can be explained by associating acceleration magnitudes from the beginning contact to the IP in two possible ways: i) participants did not reach the critical impact peak in SM or ii) participants perceived the critical impact peak, but other factors such as energy rebound and perceived stability influenced their rating in the pairwise comparison tests.
Can the “Appropriate” Footwear Prevent Injury in Leisure-Time Running? Evidence Versus Beliefs
Journal of Athletic Training
Leisure-time running is one of the most popular forms of physical activity around the world. It can be practiced almost everywhere and requires mainly a pair of “appropriate” running shoes. However, the term appropriate is ambiguous, and the properties of running footwear have always generated hot debates among clinicians, coaches, and athletes, whatever the level of practice. As the main interface between the runner's foot and the ground, the shoe potentially plays an important role in managing repetitive external mechanical loads applied to the musculoskeletal system and, thus, in injury prevention. Consequently, over the last decades, running shoes have been prescribed based on matching shoe features to foot morphology. This strategy aligns with the popular belief that footwear is one of the main extrinsic factors influencing running-related injury risk. Despite a seemingly sound strategy for shoe prescription and constant progress in running-footwear technology, the injury r...