Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “SHOES”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

[Functional evaluation of shoes for children based on gait analysis of children in the learning to walk stage].

RESEARCH QUESTION: Although gait patterns of children are well described in gait analysis studies for barefoot gait, loading patterns in gait with shoes have not been analysed compared to barefoot gait. METHODS: 30 children (age 1.8 to 4.8 years) were examined. Ground reaction forces were recorded using two series connected Kistler plates, taking the 3D coordinates and the time coordinate. The gait aspect was recorded using a video system. Three shoe types were tested against each other and against barefoot gait. RESULTS: 1399 gait cycles, 739 barefoot, 660 with shoes were usable for calculation. Statistic analyses comparing barefoot gait to gait with shoes showed: A significant increase in ground contact duration, a shifting of maximal load from the rear towards the midfoot area, a significant increased maximal load, a cushioning of the initial impact at primary ground contact. A comparison between the shoes showed no significant influence of a medial subtalar orthotic support. CONCLUSION: Shoes cause a significant change of loading patterns. But there are also significant differences between different shoe types. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Shoes for children must provide a stabilisation for the hindfoot, and must not restrict motion in the areas of the ankle and the metatatrsophalangeal joints. The amount of load in the different gait phases must be considered for the construction of a dynamic shoe for children.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

Effect of workers' shoe wear on objective and subjective assessment of slipperiness.

Subjective rating of slipperiness tests were conducted for 12 male industrial workers on three slippery surfaces, with poor or good lighting conditions, and with new or workers' own old shoes. A strain gauge force platform was used to evaluate dynamic coefficient of friction (COF) of shoes for the same surface conditions representing objective measurements. The shoe wear, available tread pattern, and hardness of old shoes were determined by instruments including a digital caliper, a digitizer, and a durometer, respectively. The surface effect was found to be highly significant on subjective ratings as well as dynamic COF (p < 0.0001). The correlation between dynamic COF values and subjective ratings was significant only for old shoes under medium oily conditions (r = 0.55, p < 0.04). For a slightly oily surface, decreasing the percent of tread available significantly increased dynamic COF values (p < 0.016). In addition, the effect of increased shoe hardness significantly increased the available tread pattern when only the data from the most deteriorated old shoes were included in the analyses (p < 0.004). These results emphasize the need to consider subjective assessment of slipperiness as a valid way to evaluate floor slipperiness. Further study is needed to (1) evaluate the effects of physical fatigue due to workload on subjective assessment of slipperiness and workers' ability to assess slipperiness during task performance; (2) consider the effect of available shoe tread on COF values and slip potential; and (3) determine if guidelines should be developed regarding when work shoes should be replaced to reduce slip and fall injuries.

Accidental Falls↗

Biomechanical properties of shoes and risk of falls in older adults.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the relationships between the biomechanical properties of shoes worn in a cohort of healthy older adults and the risk of falling. DESIGN: Nested case-control study, comparing biomechanical measurements of shoes worn by those who reported a fall with measurements of shoes worn by age- and sex-matched nonfallers engaged in broadly similar activities. SETTING: On-site measurements where falls occurred. PARTICIPANTS: A cohort of 1,371 older adults, of whom 327 reported a fall and 327 served as age- and sex-matched controls. MEASUREMENTS: Shoe measurements related to lateral stability (heel height and width, critical tipping angle), foot position sense (heel-collar height, sole thickness, and sole flexibility), and the shoe/surface interface (foresole material, shoe-to-ground coefficient of friction, sole contact area). RESULTS: Greater heel height was associated with increased risk of a fall (P for trend=.03), whereas greater sole contact area was associated with reduced risk (P for trend=.005). Shoe characteristics related to foot position sense bore little apparent relation to fall risk. Coefficients of friction of 0.5 or greater were observed in 93% of shoes measured, indicating that very few were excessively slippery. CONCLUSION: Certain measurable properties of shoes were found to be significantly related to risk of falls in older adults. Wearing shoes with low heels and large contact area may help older adults reduce the risk of a fall in everyday settings and activities.

Accidental Falls↗

Older people and ill fitting shoes.

BACKGROUND: Foot health is an important issue in older people. Inappropriate shoes increase the risk of callous and ulcer formation, as well as increasing the risk of falls. There are no data defining the size of this problem. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the proportion of elderly people on a general rehabilitation ward wearing incorrectly sized shoes and to look for the presence of complications. METHODS: Sixty five consecutive patients (mental state questionnaire score >6) admitted to a rehabilitation ward had their foot length and width measured, and the size of their current footwear recorded. Sensation was tested with a standard 10 g monofilament. The presence of ulceration was noted. Foot pain was recorded by the patient on a visual analogue scale. Any history of diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease, or peripheral neuropathy was noted. RESULTS: The median age of the subjects was 82 (range 64-93). Six (9%) had a history of diabetes, seven (11%) had symptomatic peripheral vascular disease, and 17 (26%) had sensory impairment. Ten patients (15%) had foot ulceration present, and 47 patients (72%) had ill fitting shoes (a discrepancy in length of more than half a British shoe size fitting or more than one British width fitting, 7 mm). Incorrect shoe length was significantly associated with the presence of ulceration (odds ratio (OR) = 10.04, p = 0.016). Presence of ulceration was significantly associated with a history of peripheral vascular disease (OR = 11.56, p = 0.008). Pain was significantly associated with incorrect shoe length (p = 0.0238) and with sensory impairment (p = 0.0314). CONCLUSION: Most older people on a rehabilitation ward wore ill fitting shoes. An association was found between ill fitting shoes and self reported pain, and between ill fitting shoes and ulcer formation. A straightforward assessment of footwear in older people could improve comfort and avoid preventable foot disorders.

Accidental Falls↗

Shock absorption characteristics of running shoes.

The change in shock absorption properties of running shoes was evaluated as a function of miles run. Different models of running shoes encompassing a wide range in retail price were obtained and mechanically tested to simulate the repeated heel strikes of running. The energy absorbed by the shoes was determined from the area under the load deformation curve at the equivalent of 0, 5, 10, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 200, 250, 300, and 500 miles of running. Shoes were also tested at similar intervals after having been worn by volunteers during normal training. An approximate 33% difference in the initial shock absorption was observed in the different shoe models. In general, the shoes retained approximately 75% of their initial shock absorption capability after 50 miles of simulated running, and approximately 67% after 100 to 150 miles. Between 250 and 500 miles the shoes retained less than 60% of their initial shock absorption capacity. No differences in shock absorption characteristics were apparent based upon either shoe price or the manufacturer model. The results of shoes tested by the volunteer runners also showed a marked reduction in shock absorption with mileage. The loss, however, was not as great as in the machine-simulated running, with approximately 70% of initial shock absorption retained at 500 miles.

Costs and Cost Analysis↗

High- versus low-top shoes for the prevention of ankle sprains in basketball players. A prospective randomized study.

Using a prospective, randomized experimental design, 622 college intramural basketball players were stratified by a previous history of ankle sprains to wear a new pair of either high-top, high-top with inflatable air chambers, or low-top basketball shoes during all games for a complete season. Subjects were asked to complete a history questionnaire and were given a complete ankle examination. They were allowed to wear these shoes only during basketball competition. Followed over the course of a 2-month intramural season, 15 ankle injuries occurred during 39,302 minutes of player-time: 7 in high-top shoes, 4 in low-top shoes, and 4 in high-top shoes with inflatable air chambers. The injury rates (injuries per player-minute) were 4.80 x 10(-4) in high-top shoes, 4.06 x 10(-4) in low-top shoes, and 2.69 x 10(-4) in high-top shoes with inflatable air chambers. There was no significant difference among these 3 groups, leading to the conclusion that there is no strong relationship between shoe type and ankle sprains.

Adult↗

Influence of foot, leg and shoe characteristics on subjective comfort.

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships between foot and leg characteristics, shoe characteristics, and the short-term subjective comfort of three different pairs of athletic shoes. Static measurements of foot dimension and leg angles were taken from eighteen subjects. Subjects rated the comfort of three different athletic shoes for standing, walking and running. The shoes were quantified by internal dimensions, hardness, flexibility and torsional stiffness. Average comfort ratings decreased from standing to walking to running. One shoe seemed suited for only a small group of subjects. In contrast, another shoe was generally comfortable for a large group. Skeletal alignment, specifically eversion angle, was related to comfort for one shoe. Therefore, fit of the shoe is not sufficient for comfort. Skeletal alignment, shoe torsional stiffness and cushioning seem to be mechanical variables which may be important for comfort.

Anthropometry↗

Design criteria for rigid rocker shoes.

In this study nine different rigid rocker shoe designs were tested in 17 symptom-free male subjects and compared with the control condition of a flexible, non-rockered extra-depth shoe with the same flat insole. Effects of both rocker height and axis location were explored. Peak pressure was reduced at most forefoot locations by rocker shoes, but increased in the midfoot and heel. Axis location was found to have an important effect, particularly on hallux pressures. On average the best axis location for reducing metatarsal head (MTH) pressure was in the region of 55-60% of shoe length, while for the toes it was 65%. There was a mean trend towards optimal reduction of pressure in one of the rocker shoe conditions at each anatomical location, but the axis position for this optimal placement was variable across subjects and anatomical locations. While most configurations of the rocker shoes were superior to the control shoe, no single configuration was optimal for all subjects at all sites or even for all subjects at the same site. Therefore, some form of plantar pressure measurement in conjunction with gait training to ensure correct use of the rocker shoes would appear to be essential if the pressure reducing effect of the rigid rocker bottom shoe is to be optimized.

Adult↗

A biomechanical analysis of the plantar surface of soccer shoes.

The incidence of severe injuries for soccer players may lead to long-term inactivity or, at worst, retirement from the game. Many of these injuries, particularly those involving the lower leg, can be attributed to adverse physical conditions at the interface between the soccer shoe and the playing support surface. This study investigated the biomechanical characteristics at this interface for a range of proprietary soccer shoes. An experimental system was designed and developed which, via a weighted pendulum arm making contact with a vertical column, provided controlled rotation of the forefoot of the soccer shoe on samples of playing surfaces. The overall rotation was found to depend on several physical and material factors. For example, the size 7 soccer shoes produced a statistically significant increase in axial rotation for the same impact energy compared to the larger sized shoes under test. In addition, flat soled shoes, designed for synthetic playing surfaces, produced consistently smaller rotations than shoes with either moulded or screw-in studs, although this finding depended on the moisture content of the playing surface. The pressure distribution within several soccer shoes was also measured using the F-Scan Gait Analysis System, for a subject walking across a grass surface. Results indicated differences in pressure distribution over the first metatarsal area of the foot, in existing shoe designs.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

Characteristics of work actions of shoe manufacturing assembly line workers and a cross-sectional factor-control study on occupational cervicobrachial disorders.

The characteristic work actions of female shoe manufacturing assembly line workers were analyzed by the records of 8-mm cine-films. The relationship between cervicobrachial disorders and work actions was investigated as a cross-sectional factor control study by using sex-age matched pairs for non-assembly line workers (102 pairs). The following conclusions were obtained: 1) The assembly line workers handled about 3,400 sneaker shoes per day on the assembly line. A completed shoe weighed 200-500 g. The metal last weighted 400-1,200 g. As the lines were not completely mechanized, the workers passed shoes to the next worker by hand. 2) In the line selected for the study of work actions, 28 female workers and one male worker were engaged. The work direction of the line was one-way (from left to right or vice versa). The actions of the workers were classified into four fundamental actions: i) grasping the shoe or tool, ii) extending or iii) bending of the arms, and iv) keeping the arms in a certain position. These fundamental actions were repeated more than 3,400 times per day by each worker. The time spent in holding a shoe in the left hand was longer than that of the right hand in holding a shoe or tool. 3) Results of medical examinations showed a higher prevalence in assembly line workers than that in non-assembly line workers. Especially the prevalence rate of tapping test, pain sensibility test, vibratory sensibility test, Morley's test, tenosynovitis in the fingers, tenderness at spinal muscle around the thoracic vertebrae, levator muscle of scapula, trapezius muscle, rhomboid muscle, infraspinatus muscle, greater pectoral muscle, anterior scalene muscle, thenar eminence, biceps muscle of arm, brachioradial muscle, and antebrachial flexor muscle were found to be different significantly by McNemar's test between the two groups. These disorders were appeared in the left shoulder, arm and hand. 4) As the non-assembly line workers were not engaged in compulsory work or in one-way work direction, they injured the right side (skillful side). On the contrary, it is considered that compulsory transfer of shoes and one-way work direction imposes a heavier load on the left side of the body in assembly line workers, and consequently they injured the left side more severely. 5) It is concluded that the sustained task of handing over shoes to the next worker or one-way work direction caused cervicobrachial disorders of assembly line workers, especially on the left side of the body.

Adult↗

Effects of two kinds of sports shoes with different structure on thermoregulatory responses.

The present experiments were carried out to clarify the effects of two different kinds of shoes, i.e., the standard shoes and the mesh shoes, on thermophysiological responses and clothing microclimates (temperature and humidity) in five female students during rest and walking in the field conditions. Main results were summarized as follows: 1) Skin temperatures in instep, sole and leg were kept lower in the mesh shoes than in the standard shoes. 2) Rectal temperature and heart rates were also kept lower in the mesh shoes than in the standard shoes. 3) Questionnaires disclosed that the subjects wearing the mesh shoes felt less damp. These findings were discussed in terms of thermal physiology. The mesh shoes seemed to be more effective for both the dry and wet heat loss from the feet to the surroundings, resulting in the inhibition of increase in the core temperature.

Adult↗

Clinical trial of a computer-aided system for orthopaedic shoe upper design.

A trial has been conducted to produce the uppers for orthopaedic shoes using an existing commercial computer-aided design system. The aims of the trial were to confirm that a CAD system developed for the volume shoe trade (Shoemaster from Clarks Shoes) could be used for the upper design of orthopaedic shoes and to assess the contribution of professional shoe design on cosmesis and acceptability of these shoes. A small number of adult diabetic patients and children with foot deformities were selected, all of who had previously been prescribed and issued with special shoes. The existing lasts for these patients were digitised, and new styles developed on the CAD system over a 3D image of the last. Pattern pieces were cut automatically and the uppers closed. Lasting was done as normal at the two collaborating orthopaedic companies and the shoes supplied to the patients. The CAD system proved successful in coping with orthopaedic last shapes and shoe requirements. Professional design produced fashionable and cosmetically-pleasing styles within the constraints imposed by the underlying medical conditions.

Adolescent↗

The movement of the heel within a running shoe.

Most running shoe investigations have used the same standard procedure for the evaluation of the shoes: the runners are filmed from behind and a film analysis is carried out digitizing markers at the heel counter of the shoe and on the lower leg. The angular displacement of these markers relative to the horizontal or the vertical is assumed to be an indicator for various sports injuries. The goal of this investigation was to measure the movement of the heel counter as well as the movement of the heel inside the shoe. First, the influence of the size of different heel counter windows was controlled and found negligible for the test conditions of this study. Second, 15 subjects performed the following procedure: running (a) barefoot, (b) with shoes with windows, and (c) without windows. Overall, the heel was found to move similarly but not identically to the heel counter. The maximum change of pronation was (a) 13.7 +/- 3.7 degrees, barefoot; (b) 14.1 +/- 3.8 degrees for the shoe with windows and 12.1 +/- 3.7 degrees for the heel inside these shoes; and 14.9 +/- 4.2 degrees for the shoes with no windows. To achieve a general impression of a shoe in the sense of a qualitative description, the previous method without heel counter windows still seems adequate. However, for a detailed analysis of quantitative nature, it is important to use the method with heel counter windows.

Adult↗

Dynamic performance assessment of selected sport shoes on impact forces.

Few investigators have evaluated the performance characteristics of non-running sport shoes. The purpose of this study was to assess the dynamic performance characteristics of four different shoe models during landings. Five male subjects performed 25 voluntary hanging drop landings (60 cm) onto a force platform (1000 Hz) for each of four shoe conditions (C1 and C2 = basketball shoe, C3 = running shoe, C4 = volleyball shoe). Ground reaction force data were evaluated for maximum forefoot (F1) and rearfoot (F2) impact forces as well as the respective times of occurrence of these events (T1, T2). Results of the group data analysis indicated a preferential performance rank order of C1, C3, C4, C2 although significant interaction effects were observed, indicating a need for single-subject analyses. Three techniques were incorporated to assess individual subject condition differences, all of which elicited unique rank orders for the shoes although each identified C1 as the "best" shoe condition. The results of the study support the necessity for within-subject analyses conducted with an adequate number of trials when attempting to detect subtle performance differences that may exist between various sport shoes. Whether the observed statistically significant differences are biomechanically meaningful remains an important unanswered question.

Adult↗

The influence of lateral heel flare of running shoes on pronation and impact forces.

The purpose of this investigation was to study the influence of the flare at the lateral side of the heel of running shoes on: initial and total pronation; impact forces in heel-toe running; and to explain the results with a mechanical model. The experimental part of the study was performed by using 14 male runners. Their running movement (4 m/s) was quantified by using a force platform and high-speed film (100 frames X s-1). Three shoes were used, identical except in their lateral heel flare, one shoe with a conventional flare of 16 degrees, a second shoe with no flare, and a third shoe with a rounded heel (negative flare). The experimental results indicate that (for the used set of shoes); increasing heel flare increases the amount of initial pronation; changes in heel flare do not affect the magnitude of the total pronation; and changes in heel flare do not alter the magnitude of the impact force peaks. Since shoes with rounded lateral heels do reduce initial pronation, it is speculated that this construction could be used to prevent anterior medial compartment syndrome at the tibia of runners. It was concluded that more research is needed to specify whether the reported result is representative for various shoe types or is shoe specific.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

Purchasing infant shoes: attitudes of parents, pediatricians, and store managers.

Questionnaires designed to collect data about the purchase of shoes for normal infants were completed by 104 parents in a university ambulatory unit, 127 practicing pediatricians, and 36 shoe store managers. Infants received their first pair of walking shoes at an average age of 8.1 months (range: 4 to 12 months) and at an average cost of $14.56 (range: $2 to $43). Most of these shoes had laces (95%), high tops (87%), hard soles (74%), and special arch supports (50%). Of the 104 children, 73 had shoes before they were walking (average cost: $13.21) and 35 wore walking shoes before they were even standing (average cost: $12.68). Parents obtained much more information about shoes from friends and relatives than from physicians. Those parents who obtained most of their information from salespersons spent the most for shoes. The average cost of shoes recommended by store managers was $18.74. Although 77% of pediatricians felt that inexpensive canvas sneakers are adequate, only 28% of the salespersons and 37% of the parents believed that wearing sneakers is healthy.

Attitude↗

The influence of a small insert, in the footbed of a shoe, upon plantar pressure distribution.

INTRODUCTION:: A recent development in plantar pressure distribution research, has been the study of the effects of sensory input on pressure distribution. It has been suggested that proprioceptive and exteroceptive information received from the plantar surface of the foot plays an important role in adapting to high pressures in shoes. Robbins and Gouw (1991) suggested that surface irregularities should be added to the insoles of running shoes to gain correct sensory input. Hayda et al. (1994) found that placing a pad proximal to the metatarsal heads produced significant reductions in forefoot plantar pressures around the first and second metatarsal heads. A development by Villeneuve (1993), 'La Posteropodle', utilized a small insert to maintain postural equilibrium, by stimulating the mechanoreceptors in the plantar surface of the foot. The aim of this study was to measure changes in plantar pressure distribution using a small circular insert. METHODS:: Ten non-pathological male subjects were tested whilst walking, after one day of wearing a pair of oxfords (hard) and running shoes (soft), containing an insert of 4 mm in height placed on a 0.8 mm EVA insole. The foot was split into five sections: (1) midfoot, (2) first metatarsal head, (3) 2nd and 3rd metatarsal heads, (4) 4th and 5th metatarsal heads, (5) the phalanges. A PEDAR system (Novel GmbH) was used to collect in-shoe plantar pressure data, with data collections at the beginning and end of a working day. Subjects were tested under two conditions: (1) the insert 5 mm proximal to the metatarsal heads, between the 2nd and 3rd heads, (2) a control, with no insert. RESULTS:: Preliminary results indicate that whilst wearing a hard shoe the insert had the effect of shifting peak pressures from the first metatarsal head, to the area of the second and third metatarsal heads. Peak pressures were found to be lower with the insert present. This has not yet been tested for significance. With the running shoe there appeared to be no significant differences between conditions with and without the insert. There were also no differences between the beginning and end of the day, for both shoe types. DISCUSSION:: From the results it appears that the insert is successful in both shifting peak pressures from the medial to the lateral forefoot, whilst reducing peak pressures simultaneously. This was only evident in the hard shoe condition however, suggesting that the footbed of the running shoe was perhaps too soft to allow the insert to influence sensory input sufficiently. These findings indicate that there may be implications for the use of small orthotics. Further study is required, however, to fully substantiate this hypothesis.

Journal Article↗

In healthy subjects without knee osteoarthritis, the peak knee adduction moment influences the acute effect of shoe interventions designed to reduce medial compartment knee load.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate shoe sole material stiffness changes and angle changes that are intended to reduce the peak knee adduction moment during walking. Fourteen physically active adults were tested wearing their personal shoes (control) and five intervention pairs, two with stiffness variations, two with angle variations, and a placebo shoe. The intervention shoes were evaluated based on how much they reduced the peak knee adduction moment compared to the control shoe. An ANOVA test was used to detect differences between interventions. Linear regression analysis was used to determine a relationship between the magnitude of the knee adduction moment prior to intervention and the effectiveness of the intervention in reducing the peak knee adduction moment. Peak knee adduction moments were reduced for the altered stiffness and altered angle shoes (p < 0.010), but not for the placebo shoe (p = 0.363). Additionally, linear regression analysis showed that subjects with higher knee adduction moments prior to intervention had larger reductions in the peak knee adduction moment (p < 0.010). These results demonstrate that shoe sole stiffness and angle interventions can be used to reduce the peak knee adduction moment and that subjects with initially higher peak knee adduction moments have higher reductions in their peak knee adduction moments.

Adult↗