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At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Occupational exposure to toluene and its possible causative role in renal damage development in shoe workers.

OBJECTIVES: An important, although, unprecise number of shoe workers in Leon, Mexico, are in continuous contact with toluene-based glues. The induction of renal glomerular and/or tubular lesions as a result of toluene exposure is still being discussed controversially. Our objective was to evaluate the extent of occupational exposure, assessing urinary o-Cresol excretion as a measure for toluene exposure in a population at risk as compared to a control population. Urinary albumin excretion (UAE) and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) enzymatic activity were tested to assess renal dysfunction. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed comparing 50 toluene-exposed shoe workers and 25 control subjects. Urinary o-cresol was assessed on first and last day of labor week from exposed subjects. A single urine sample was obtained from control subjects. Urinary Albumin excretion (UAE) and (NAG) activity were examined in 12 h urine samples in all subjects. Urine and serum creatinine were measured to asses renal function. RESULTS: At the end of the labor week, urinary o-cresol levels were higher in samples obtained from exposed subjects. Albumin excretion was similar in the exposed and control groups. NAG activity was greater in the exposed group compared to control group (median 3.5 U/g creatinine vs 1.9 U/g creatinine, z=2.6, P=0.009). An inverse relationship was found between schooling years and the NAG enzymatic activity for the two studied groups (r= -0.27, P=0.02), CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the hypothesis that toluene may be a factor associated with the presence of renal damage in exposed shoe workers. As NAG activity is increased, we believe the lesion initiates in the renal tubular cells.

Adhesives↗
PubMed1997

Risk of spontaneous abortion and maternal exposure to organic solvents in the shoe industry.

OBJECT: A high risk of spontaneous abortion was observed in women exposed to organic solvents during pregnancy. Since this risk was not found in the shoe industry, where these solvents are widely used, we carried out a case-control study on the risk of spontaneous abortion in a health district (Veneto, Northern Italy) where about 8,000 people work in shoe manufacturing. Aliphatic hydrocarbons were generally used; their concentrations were repeatedly below the mixture TLVs in the observation period. METHODS: Cases (clinically recognized spontaneous abortion, ICD codes 632-634-636) and age-/year-/residence-matched controls (admitted for normal delivery) were traced in the files of the regional hospital discharges register. Data on 108 cases (81% response) and the same number of reference subjects were collected on questionnaires completed by nurses trained in occupational medicine. There were questions on confounding and occupational factors, and an open question to ensure a complete description of work done during pregnancy. An occupational physician, working blind, then coded exposure to organic solvents according to a three-level polytomous variable (no, low, high exposure). RESULTS: The cases/controls not exposed, exposed to low levels and exposed to high levels of organic solvents were 78/88, 12/12, and 18/8 respectively. Adjusted for the confounding factors, the relative risk (RR) of spontaneous abortion for high exposure to organic solvents during pregnancy was 3.85, with 95% confidence intervals (CI) ranging from 1.24 to 11.9. RR was 1.58 (CI = 0.62-4.06) in women exposed to low solvent concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the hypothesis that spontaneous abortion may be an adverse effect of exposure to high levels of organic aliphatic solvents in women employed in shoe manufacture.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed2006

The Pedar in-shoe system: repeatability and normal pressure values.

The Pedar system is one of the most commonly used systems for in-shoe pressure measurement. Good repeatability is necessary to ensure the consistency of measurements on which clinical judgements are based. In addition, there is a need to establish a range of normal in-shoe pressure values, which will help to identify abnormalities. The aim of this study was to assess the repeatability of the Pedar system and determine the pressure values in normal subjects. Fifty-three subjects, 17 females (32%) and 36 males (68%), were recruited and measurements were performed twice with an average gap of 12 days (range 1-32 days) using only one brand of standardised running shoes (Donnay International). Peak pressure (PP), contact area (CA), contact time (CT), pressure-time integral (PTI), force-time integral (FTI) and instant of peak pressure (IPP) were calculated. The coefficient of repeatability (CR), expressed as a percentage of the mean, was no greater than 15.3% for all 122 parameters considered. The highest PP areas were under the great toe, with mean (S.D.) equal to 280.4 (83.0) kPa and heel 264.3 (44.1) kPa, followed by the first 248 (70.1) kPa, second 246.5 (48.3) kPa, and third 224.7 (50.4) kPa metatarsal heads. The CA was highest under the heel at 41.54 cm(2). The CT of the metatarsals was 77% to 87% of the total CT while that of the hallux was 75%. The PTI and FTI were highest under the heel. We concluded that the Pedar system was repeatable. The normal pressure values identified can therefore be used to provide a reference range in clinical practice using this specific type of footwear.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Comparison of in-shoe foot loading patterns on natural grass and synthetic turf.

Synthetic playing surfaces with rubber or sand infill are now used on many athletic fields such as soccer, football and rugby. Although these surfaces may come closer to the mechanical characteristics of a true grass playing surface than the older turf designs, their potential effects on lower extremity biomechanics and related injury rates necessitate further study. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of two surfaces (natural grass versus turf) on in-shoe foot loading patterns during cutting. Seventeen male football players were tested on a slalom course. An in-shoe pressure distribution measurement insole was used in the right shoe (14 stud, molded cleat) of each athlete. Individual cutting steps were extracted from each slalom trial and peak pressure and relative load calculated in nine distinct plantar regions of the foot. The turf condition had significantly higher peak pressures within the central forefoot (turf: 646.6+/-172.6 kPa, grass: 533.3+/-143.4 kPa, P=0.017) and lesser toes (turf: 429.3+/-200.9 kPa, grass: 348.1+/-119.0 kPa, P=0.043) compared to grass. In contrast, the relative load within the medial forefoot (turf: 27.2+/-5.3%, grass: 30.2+/-6.6%, P=0.031) and lateral midfoot (turf: 3.4+/-1.8%, grass: 4.1+/-2.3%, P=0.029) were higher during the grass condition. No differences between the grass and turf were found in maximal effort sprint times performed prior to the testing trials. This study demonstrates that playing surface significantly affects plantar loading during sport related activities. Further epidemiological investigation is warranted to determine the effects of playing surfaces on sport specific injury mechanisms.

Athletic Injuries↗
PubMed2002

A comparison of the effects of floor mats and shoe in-soles on standing fatigue.

In assembly line positions and other occupations, employees experience pain and discomfort associated with long periods of standing. Modifying flooring is a common intervention method used to alleviate problems associated with constrained standing. This study investigated the effects of four different standing conditions upon assembly workers' perception of general fatigue and discomfort associated with various body parts following 1 week of 8-h days of exposure to each condition. The four standing conditions were (1) on hard floor, (2) on a floor mat, (3) wearing shoe in-soles, and (4) wearing shoe in-soles while standing on a floor mat. Questions were asked regarding general fatigue and discomfort. In general, the mat, in-soles and combined conditions were more comfortable than standing on hard floor. Moderately strong correlations were found for the variables of height, age and job tenure. Shorter individuals experienced greater discomfort in the upper leg and low back when standing on a mat and when wearing in-soles. The older workers and those with more job seniority reported greater discomfort associated with body joints when standing on the hard floor and when standing on the floor mat. No significant differences in fatigue or discomfort were found when comparing the overall effects of using the floor mat to wearing the shoe in-soles or the combined condition.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Significance of mat and shoe softness during prolonged work in upright position: based on measurements of low back muscle EMG, foot volume changes, discomfort and ground force reactions.

The aim of the investigation was to study the significance of mat and shoe softness during prolonged work in an upright position based on some physiological, biomechanical and comfort measurements related to the lower extremities and the low back. Eight healthy female volunteers performed 2 h of simulated standing and 2 h of standing/walking work tasks in the laboratory using four combinations of soft shoes, clogs, soft mat and concrete. Thus, each subject performed a total of eight 2 h work tests. The following parameters were measured pre-experimentally and one or more times during 2 h: total foot volume, vascular volume and interstitial volume of the left foot, EMG from the lumbar paraspinals, movement of centre of gravity (only during standing), biomechanical heel impact (only during standing/walking), perceived discomfort in lumbar back, legs and feet, whole body oxygen uptake, arterial blood pressure and heart rate. Using soft shoes rather than clogs during standing/walking work implies approximately a halving of the foot oedema formation and the heel impact. The effects due to the introduction of the soft mat are negligible. The local circulatory responses in the feet and the EMG-signs of paravertebral muscle fatigue are larger during standing compared to standing/walking work. The two investigated work types in this study differ regarding exposures as well as responses. Thus, it is recommended to shift between these postures and seated work during the working hours to improve job exposures.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

The effect of material characteristics of shoe soles on muscle activation and energy aspects during running.

The purposes of this study were (a) to determine group and individual differences in oxygen consumption during heel-toe running and (b) to quantify the differences in EMG activity for selected muscle groups of the lower extremities when running in shoes with different mechanical heel characteristics. Twenty male runners performed heel-toe running using two shoe conditions, one with a mainly elastic and a visco-elastic heel. Oxygen consumption was quantified during steady state runs of 6 min duration, running slightly above the aerobic threshold providing four pairs of oxygen consumption results for comparison. Muscle activity was quantified using bipolar surface EMG measurements from the tibialis anterior, medial gastrocnemius, vastus medialis and the hamstrings muscle groups. EMG data were sampled for 5 s every minute for the 6 min providing 30 trials. EMG data were compared for the different conditions using an ANOVA (alpha=0.05). The findings of this study showed that changes in the heel material characteristics of running shoes were associated with (a) subject specific changes in oxygen consumption and (b) subject and muscle specific changes in the intensities of muscle activation before heel strike in the lower extremities. It is suggested that further study of these phenomena will help understand many aspects of human locomotion, including work, performance, fatigue and possible injuries.

Elasticity↗
PubMed1998

Knee osteoarthritis and high-heeled shoes.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the effects of walking in high heels on joints in the legs. Since osteoarthritis of the knee is twice as common in women as in men, we investigated torques (forces applied about the leg joints) of women who wore high-heeled shoes. METHODS: We studied 20 healthy women who were comfortable wearing high-heeled shoes. The women walked with their own high-heeled shoes and barefoot. Data were plotted and qualitatively compared; major peak values for high-heeled and barefoot walking were statistically compared. Bonferroni adjustment was made for multiple comparisons. FINDINGS: Measurement showed increased force across the patellofemoral joint and a greater compressive force on the medial compartment of the knee (average 23% greater forces) during walking in high heels than barefoot. INTERPRETATION: The altered forces at the knee caused by walking in high heels may predispose to degenerative changes in the joint.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

A study of in-shoe plantar shear in normals.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify features of in-shoe plantar shear in asymptomatic adult gait. DESIGN: In order to standardize footwear conditions and facilitate later comparison to patient groups, measurement is made in a group of adults walking freely in stock orthopaedic footwear. BACKGROUND: Better data on plantar shear is required to complement well-documented pressure data for an overall picture of plantar stress. METHODS: Measurements were made locally beneath the medial four metatarsal heads and heel using biaxial transducers mounted flush into an inlay. Pressure distribution was also measured. RESULTS: The shear data revealed common features in the shear pattern occurring at defined phases of gait, with good inter-step reliability. For the five sites of interest, these values ranged from 24 kPa to 70.4 kPa, and 31 kPa to 86.5 kPa for individuals wearing nylon hose or hose-free respectively. Maximum shear occurred more laterally than maximum pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Features of plantar shear were not always as expected; for example the forward thrust at push-off was not reflected in the anteroposterior shear stress. Because of the inter-subject variability, study of a larger group is indicated. RELEVANCE: Mechanical stress at the plantar interface between foot and shoe is of particular clinical relevance to the formation and management of ulcers in diabetic neuropathy. It is also of relevance to shoe and orthotic design for various foot pathologies. This study provides reliable data on the shear component of plantar stress for which, unlike the well-documented pressure component, there is only sparse data so far available.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

A study of in-shoe plantar shear in patients with diabetic neuropathy.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify in-shoe plantar shear in diabetic neuropathic feet. DESIGN: Plantar shear stresses are measured in a group of six patients with a history of diabetic neuropathic ulceration. BACKGROUND: Although elevated pressure between foot and shoe frequently found in diabetic neuropathic patients has been linked to a raised incidence of plantar ulceration, the shear component of stress at this interface is as yet unquantified. It is suggested that its effects may be equally damaging. METHODS: Measurements of shear were made locally beneath the medial four metatarsal heads and heel during unpaced gait in orthopaedic footwear, using a bi-axial magneto-resistive shear transducer. Similar methodology was previously employed on a group of asymptomatic adults, thereby allowing comparisons to be made. RESULTS: Overall the maximum shear stress for this patient group (73 kPa) was not significantly different to that in the asymptomatic group (87 kPa). However the patient group exhibited lower magnitudes of shear stress under the third/fourth metatarsal heads (average 51/39 vs. 86.5/71 kPa, respectively) and higher magnitudes under the first/second heads (73/64 vs. 35/31 kPa, respectively), indicating a medial shift. Step-to-step variability of maximum shear measured under the third metatarsal head showed an increase in the transverse component (coefficient of reliability 67% vs. 98%). CONCLUSIONS: Although the overall patterns of shear are broadly similar to the asymptomatic group, these pilot trials indicate a medial shift in shear loading under the forefoot coupled to increased step-to-step variability in the diabetic group. RelevanceMechanical stress at the plantar interface between foot and shoe is of particular clinical relevance to the formation and management of ulcers in diabetic neuropathy. Whereas the pressure component of stress is widely studied, the shear component is poorly described although it may be of equal importance.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

The transfer of petrol on to clothing and shoes while pouring petrol around a room.

This study was aimed at measuring the approximate amount of petrol transferred on to the clothing and shoes of a person during the action of pouring petrol around a room. Two different heights of pouring and two different types of floor surface (carpet and concrete) were investigated. Results show that for all the combinations examined petrol was always transferred to the shoes and often transferred to the upper and lower clothing. This information illustrates the necessity of analysing the clothing and particularly the shoes of any suspected arsonists for the presence of hydrocarbon fuels.

Chromatography, Gas↗
PubMed2001

An in-shoe laser Doppler sensor for assessing plantar blood flow in the diabetic foot.

Increased pressure due, to sensory neuropathy, is important in the development of plantar ulceration in type II diabetes. However, additional factors are thought to pre-dispose the skin tissue to ulceration. Autonomic neuropathy and microangiopathy are the basis for the capillary steal theory and the haemodynamic hypothesis, developed to explain the aetiology of this type of ulcer, in terms of microvascular complications. The aim of the present study was to develop a system to allow assessment of blood flow at prevalent sites of ulceration. Previous studies have been limited to assessment of the bare foot under rest conditions. The new system allows measurements to be made in-shoe, during static and dynamic loading. The system comprises a laser Doppler sensor, a load sensor, measurement shoe, instrumentation and analysis software. The measurement shoe was designed to minimise movement artefact and provide thermal insulation for the foot. A simple flow rig was used to characterise the sensor. The blood flux response was linear (<5% deviation from ideal) for particle concentrations up to 0.25% and for mean particle velocities up to 8mm s(-1). The worst case drift in the response over a six-month period was 3.7%. Device to device repeatability varied by 12.5% over five devices.

Artifacts↗
PubMed2001

Monitoring in-shoe plantar pressures, temperature, and humidity: reliability and validity of measures from a portable device.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the reliability and validity of measures obtained from a portable electronic device used to monitor changes in plantar pressure, temperature, and humidity that occur within the shoe during prolonged activity. DESIGN: Descriptive study comparing electronic sensor output with criterion values. SETTINGS: Indoor level walkway for pressure data; uncontrolled, outdoor environment for step count data; enclosed environmental control chamber for humidity and temperature data. PARTICIPANTS: Convenience sample of 4 healthy, sensate subjects. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Correlations between sensor output and criterion measures were determined for pressure and temperature data. The absolute differences between sensor output and criterion values of temperature, humidity, and step count were also determined. RESULTS: Pressure measurements from electronic sensors correlated highly with criterion values (r > or =.82), both before and after prolonged use. Relative humidity sensor output were within 5% of hygrometer values. In-shoe temperature data correlated highly with criterion values (r > or =.99), and differed from known temperatures by.50 degrees +/-.84 degrees C and.96 degrees +/- 1.56 degrees C at the forefoot and heel, respectively. Electronic step counts recorded at the central forefoot were within 1 step of visual step counts. Pressure tracings obtained from the device during different weight-bearing activities revealed qualitatively distinct pressure patterns. CONCLUSION: The device provides valid and reliable measures of in-shoe plantar pressures, temperature, and humidity during prolonged activity.

Diabetic Foot↗
PubMed1993

[The athletic shoes as a therapeutic aid].

Sports shoe research discovered several possibilities of influencing the heel-to-toe walking behaviour of the foot which can be made use in the construction of therapeutic shoes. Early functional therapy aims at imparting moderate load stimuli to the injured and/or surgically reconstructed tissue to ensure quicker orientation of the collagen fibres of the cicatricial structures and an improved blood supply to the tissue. Modified sports shoes with variable mobility restriction and functional heel-to-toe walking support of the foot have become a meaningful therapeutic aid in the treatment of fibular ligament lesions and injuries to the Achilles tendon, both in orthopaedic and neurological problems requiring support of the sequential movements of the foot (arthrodeses, arthroses, peroneal paralyses [dangle foot], etc.) Early functional after treatment ensures that moderate load stimuli are exercised on the tissue while avoiding peak tensions, thus shortening the rehabilitation period with minimal inactivity atrophies and hence enabling quicker return to normal daily activities.

Achilles Tendon↗
PubMed1988

[Running injuries and running shoe construction: demonstration of possible correlations].

Previous investigations about the running shoe design demonstrated a relationship between the geometry of the shoe sole, the ground reaction forces and the foot movements during impact. Thus, the question arised in which way this relationship would influence the internal forces. The purpose of this investigation was to model the impact situation and to simulate different sole geometries in order to calculate the internal forces and the pronation velocity. The results show that the geometry has a small effect upon the joint forces, but a very high effect on the pronation velocity. As a consequence, the joint forces changed only by 10% or less, but the load of the structures which are stressed by pronation is increased up to 200%. Thus, the control of the initial pronation is much more important in current running shoe design than the shock-absorption.

Ankle Injuries↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Corrective dynamic shoe fitting of the functional clubfoot in patients with infantile cerebral palsy].

Providing CP Patients with functional clubfoot with orthopaedic shoe modifications has not a good evaluation in the literature. An own concept of fitting this kind of spastic foot deformity is demonstrated. It is based on stabilizing shoe modifications combined with spasticity inhibiting posture of the foot in the shoe. The results based on a follow-up examination of nearly five years can be considered positive.

Child↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Analysis of the protective effect of shock-absorbing shoes for patients treated with hip and knee endoprostheses].

Biomechanical loading of total knee and hip replacement is one of the essential factors which limit the longterm-function of the implant components. A simple and cheap safety provision to avoid mechanical overload seems to be wearing of shock-absorbing shoes. The performed study analyzes the effect of that type of shoe. For judgement the parameters: energy absorption while slow shock, damping while hard shock and safety against sliding were taken. The experiments showed the shock-absorbing shoe is an easy, inexpensive, but very efficient protection measure to improve the longterm-stability of endoprosthesis of the lower extremity.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗
PubMed1989

An apparatus and a method for determining the slip resistance of shoes and floors by simulation of human foot motions.

An apparatus to measure the coefficient of kinetic friction (mu k) between the shoe sole and the underfoot surface was constructed, and a method including criteria to evaluate the risk of slipping during walking was developed. The apparatus is a prototype stationary step simulator capable of simulating the movements of a human foot and the forces applied to the underfoot surface during an actual slip, and the drainage capability of the contact surface between the shoe sole and the flooring when different lubricants or contaminants are used. The apparatus consists of a movable artificial foot controlled by a computer with the aid of three hydraulic cylinders. The frictional force (F mu), the normal force (FN) and their ratio (mu k = F mu/FN) are measured with a two-way force platform when the foot slides along its surface. Two separate gait patterns, heel-side (mu k 1) and sole-slide (mu k 2) gait pattern, are used for the evaluations. The method classifies studied shoe, lubricant and underfoot surface combinations into five slip resistance classes according to the measured mu k 1. The slip resistance assessments are specified with some complementary safety criteria, e.g., the ratio mu k 1/mu k 2. The reliability of the developed measurement method was assessed in an international comparison test. According to available results discussed in this paper, our method seems to be valid and the slip resistance measurements seem to be repeatable.

Accidental Falls↗