Shoe Cushioning Effects on Foot Loading and Comfort Perception during Typical Basketball Maneuvers

Xini Zhang,Yang Yang,Jiaxin Niu,Xi Wang,Weijie Fu,Zhen Luo

doi:10.3390/app9183893

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the relationship between foot loading and comfort perception in two basketball shoes during basketball-specific maneuvers. Methods: Twelve male collegiate basketball players were required to complete three basketball maneuvers (i.e., side-step cutting, 90° L-direction running, and lay-up jumping) in two basketball shoe conditions (shoe L and shoe N, with different midsole cushioning types). Two Kistler force plates and a Medilogic insole plantar pressure system were used to collect kinetic data (i.e., impact force, peak loading rate, and plantar pressure variables). Perception scales were used to evaluate comfort perception. Results: No significant difference was observed between the two shoes during maneuvers in terms of ground reaction force. However, the plantar pressure of shoe L in the midfoot and lateral foot regions was significantly greater than that of shoe N during side-step cutting and lay-up jumping. Shoe N was significantly superior to shoe L, especially in dynamic scale in terms of the perception of comfort. The plantar pressure and perception characteristics in the two shoes were significantly different but inconsistent with each other. Conclusion: The biomechanical characteristics of the shoes themselves and the perception evaluation of the athletes should be considered in comprehensive shoe-cushioning design and evaluation.

Highlights

In basketball, the lower limbs of athletes are subjected to large impact forces during each landing [1]
The passive impact phase in step cuttinggames (SS) and 90◦ LR occurred within 100 ms after ground contact, with the the Fz approximately twice that of the BW (Figure 4a)
The vertical ground reaction force (GRF) increased rapidly in lay-up toe-off (LUTO) and and lay-up touch-down (LUTD) during contact, that is, the Fz during the push-off phase and after landing could be as LUTD during contact, that is, the Fz during the push-off phase and after landing could be as large as large as four and eight-times the BW, respectively (Figure 4b)

Summary

Introduction

The lower limbs of athletes are subjected to large impact forces during each landing [1]. Players complete 70 jumps/landings in a single game and attenuate impacts of up to nine times their body weight every time [2], which increases the risk of knee and ankle injuries [3]. Reducing impact forces (which includes both magnitude and loading rate characteristics) may help prevent foot injuries [4]. The shock absorption characteristics and comfort of basketball shoes, as core equipment of the sport, have important influences on the performance of the players and on the prevention of lower extremity injuries [5]. The impact force and pressure distribution characteristics between the feet and the shoes must be understood to effectively optimize the technical movements, reduce foot injuries, and improve the design of specialized shoes [6]. The existing studies on foot loading have mainly focused on common gait characteristics, such as walking and running [7,8], and studies on specific sports maneuvers, such as cross-over running and lay-up jumping [9,10,11], are limited

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Discussion

Conclusion