The Effect of Non-Newtonian Fluid Midsole Footwear on Lower Limb Biomechanics after 5 km of Running in High Temperature

Abstract

This study’s aim was to examine the effect of non-Newtonian fluid (NN) shoe and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) shoe on human lower limb biomechanics and muscle activation during running in hot temperatures. Thirty-five men utilizing a rearfoot strike ran 5 km at a self-selected tempo at an average summer temperature of 41.7 ± 1.0 °C and relative humidity of 80.7 ± 3.5%. The kinematics, kinetics, and muscle activation of the right leg were monitored from landing until the pedal was off the ground. A two-way repeated-measures ANOVA was conducted to investigate the main effects of the shoe condition, temperature, and interaction effect. Wearing NN at high temperature resulted in increased hip range of motion (ROM) (p = 0.001). The knee torque increased significantly when wearing EVA and NN shoes after the temperature increased (p = 0.006). When wearing EVA and NN, the ground reaction force (GRF) and loading rate (LR) increased significantly after the temperature increased (p = 0.001; p = 0.009). When wearing NN after running for 5 km at a high temperature, the displacement range of center of pressure (COP) was significantly reduced (p < 0.001), while the EVA was significantly increased (p < 0.001). Neither pair of shoes substantially altered muscle activity. After excluding the factor of fatigue, the increase in temperature not only changed the properties of the material inside the shoe, but also changed the parameters of the biomechanics of the human lower limbs. After the temperature increases, the shoes made of non-Newtonian fluid materials can quickly stabilize under the condition of increased shear stress and reduce the displacement of the human body. Thus, it indicated that non-Newtonian fluid shoes may lower the risk of injury when running in extremely hot conditions.