Abstract
Running shoes typically have a lifespan of 300–1000 km, and the plantar pressure pattern during running may change as the shoe wears. So, the aim of this study was to determine the variation of plantar pressures with shoe wear, and the runner’s subjective sensation. Maximun Plantar Pressures (MMP) were measured from 33 male recreational runners at three times during a training season (beginning, 350 km, and 700 km) using the Biofoot/IBV® in-shoe system (Biofoot/IBV®, Valencia, Spain). All the runners wore the same shoes (New Balance® 738, Boston, MA, USA) during this period, and performed similar training. The zones supporting most pressure at all three study times were the medial (inner) column of the foot and the forefoot. There was a significant increase in pressure on the midfoot over the course of the training season (from 387.8 to 590 kPa, p = 0.003). The runners who felt the worst cushioning under the midfoot were those who had the highest peak pressures in that area (p = 0.002). The New Balance® 738 running shoe effectively maintains the plantar pressure pattern after 700 km of use under all the zones studied except the midfoot, probably due to material fatigue or deficits of the specific cushioning systems in that area.
Highlights
Physical exercise, together with other healthy lifestyles, is the main public health strategy aimed at maintaining optimal health and preventing disease
The sample consisted of 33 male distance runners (mean age 39.3 ± 6.7 years, range 29–56 years; height 1.72 ± 0.08 m; weight 70.7 ± 9.1 kg; and Body Mass Index (BMI) 23.7 ± 2.3 kg/m2 and a weekly mileage of 53 ± 12.3 km) who had been distance running as amateurs for at least 5 years
The lowest maximum peak pressure (MPP) were on the rearfoot and midfoot
Summary
Together with other healthy lifestyles, is the main public health strategy aimed at maintaining optimal health and preventing disease. With respect to the foot, the most important factors that can influence distance runners are the running shoes used [9,10,11] and the runner’s foot type [12,13]. The runner is subjected to ground reaction forces that are approximately 1.5–3 times the body weight [15,18]. These forces cause vibrations or shock waves that are transmitted from the bones of the foot to the rest of the body, and which may be the source of injuries related to the continual practice of running [19]. The shoe can reduce overall impact forces by up to 35% [20,21], but can lose this capacity as the midsole materials wear away [22]
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