Athletic Shoes Research Articles

Short term temporal outcomes after intramedullary fixation of lateral malleolus fractures

Ankle fractures are a common intra-articular trauma. The gold standard treatment for unstable ankle fractures has been Open Reduction Internal Fixation with plating and lag screw(s). Advocates for intramedullary nailing of the fibula note decreased wound complications and greater biomechanical strength. We hypothesized that time to union and time to weight bearing would be decreased with a fibular intramedullary nail compared to prior ankle ORIF literature. A retrospective cohort study was conducted of 65 consecutive ankle fracture patients treated with a fibular nail. The median follow-up time was 18.3 months (IQR: 55.4 – 97.6 days). All patients (100%) achieved clinical and radiographic union at a median of 9.6 (IQR: 54 – 78 days) and 10.8 weeks (IQR: 58 – 95 days), respectively. Post-operatively patients bore weight in walking boot and athletic shoe at a median 6.1 and 9.4 weeks, respectively. Fifteen patients suffered complications (23.1%). Patients with history of prior or active smoking were significantly correlated to longer time to union (p=0.016). Time to union also took 0.43 days longer for each additional year of age (t-value 2.13, p-value = 0.038). Nineteen out of 65 patients (29.2%) participated in the Olerud-Molander Ankle Scoring and the median functional outcome score was 71 (IQR: 56 – 93). While fibular nailing has advanced passive range of motion and weight bearing in our institution, time to weight bearing is clouded by surgeon comfort. Further study comparing fibular fracture healing and weight bearing status in regards to intramedullary and plate fixation in needed. Level of EvidenceIV

Does policy that provides choice in athletic footwear affect musculoskeletal injury risk in US Coast Guard recruits?

IntroductionMusculoskeletal injuries (MSKIs) are ubiquitous during initial entry military training, with overuse injuries the most common. A common injury mechanism is running, an activity that is integral to US Coast...

Innovative pressure sensing with amorphous silicon nanostructures: Exploring applications in sports training supervision

This study introduces an innovative approach to pressure sensing in sports training using amorphous silicon nanostructure-based sensors. These sensors demonstrated high sensitivity (0.75 Ω/kPa) and a broad pressure detection range (1–100 kPa), making them ideal for capturing the nuances of athletic movements. Their compact size (5 mm×5 mm) and superior durability (over 5000 cycles with minimal performance variation) allowed for seamless integration into athletic shoes and attire. The sensors effectively captured pressure patterns in running, such as heel strikes peaking at 300 kPa, and cycling, revealing a 200 kPa increase in the perineal region during posture shifts. Comparative analysis highlighted the advantages of amorphous silicon nanostructure sensors over existing technologies, including higher sensitivity, wider pressure range, smaller size, and better durability. The integration of these sensors provided invaluable data for optimizing training regimes and preventing injuries. The study also delved into the physical and chemical characterization of the nanostructures, confirming their uniform size distribution, surface morphology, and amorphous nature, which contributed to their exceptional sensing performance. The findings underscore the immense potential of amorphous silicon nanostructure sensors in revolutionizing athletic performance analysis and injury prevention, offering a significant upgrade over current technologies in terms of accuracy, adaptability, and user-friendliness. This research paves the way for more sophisticated, precise, and athlete-centric pressure sensing solutions, transforming the landscape of sports technology and biomechanical assessment.

Short-Term Effects of Foot Orthoses and Antipronation Taping on the Center of Pressure and Ground Reaction Forces of People With Flat Feet During Running

Background and Aims Several treatments have been recommended to enhance the running mechanics of individuals with flat feet. Less emphasis has been paid to the impact of these treatments on the ground reaction forces (GRF) and the center of pressure (COP), while these kinetic effects are essential in identifying possible injuries and the body’s compensatory mechanisms in response to any therapeutic approach. The present study aimed to compare the effects of foot orthoses and antipronation taping on COP and GRF on the running of people with flat feet. Methods The present study was quasi-experimental with a randomized cross-over design. The kinematic and kinetic data of 20 young people with flexible flat feet were measured while running under three conditions: athletic shoes, athletic shoes with foot orthoses (FO), and athletic shoes with low-Dye (LD) tape. A one-way repeated measure analysis of variance from the SPM1d package was used to compare differences in GRF and COP time series under different conditions. Results The results showed that foot orthoses reduced the anteroposterior GRF compared to low-Dye tape and increased the lateral GRF compared to athletic shoes alone. However, the conditions did not significantly affect the vertical GRF (P<0.05). Moreover, FO-shoes and LD-shoes caused medial and lateral shifts in COP, respectively (P<0.05). Conclusion This research showed that foot orthoses cause inefficient force transmission in the anterior direction. Furthermore, running with FO-shoes and LD-shoes substantially influences COP displacements towards the end of the stance phase; however, it does not appear to increase running-related injuries since minimal load and forces are applied to the joint at that time.

The Influence of Inventory Costs on Product Sales: An Analysis in the Global Sneaker Market

The pandemic has greatly impacted the global athletic shoe market, leading to supply chain instability and inventory management challenges. Taking the global athletic shoe market as an example, this study delves into inventory management issues from three aspects: store operations, price changes, and supply chain modules, and analyzes Nike's data in China and Vietnam in detail. The epidemic led to challenges, such as declining market demand, production disruptions, and supply chain problems, which affected the company's profitability. By analyzing inventory management strategies, this study proposes two key recommendations to help firms cope with uncertainty and improve inventory management efficiency. First, firms are advised to maintain moderate inventories to respond to changes in market demand flexibly. Second, inventory levels should be increased moderately through marketing programs and promotional activities to improve product competitiveness. These recommendations are intended to help athletic footwear and apparel companies meet the challenges of reducing inventory costs, increasing product sales, and ultimately achieving inventory management success during the epidemic.

Gait biomechanics do not differ between adolescents with and without patellofemoral pain.

To determine if adolescents with patellofemoral pain exhibit different biomechanical characteristics to asymptomatic adolescents during walking and running. Twenty-eight adolescents with patellofemoral pain (16 male, 12 female, mean [SD] age: 14.3 [1.7] years) and 24 asymptomatic adolescents (13 male, 11 female, mean [SD] age: 14.1 [1.6] years) participated. Participants walked and ran on an instrumented treadmill in a standardized athletic shoe. Continuous hip, knee, and ankle joint angles and moments, and frontal plane pelvic motion were compared between groups using one-dimensional statistical parametric mapping independent t-tests (alpha <0.05). Cadence and stride length were compared between groups using independent t-tests. During walking, adolescents with patellofemoral pain had a higher hip extension moment at 7%-8% of the gait cycle (p = 0.04) and walked with a shorter stride length (mean difference [95% confidence interval] = -0.07 [-0.1, -0.01] m). There were no other differences between groups during walking. During running, adolescents with patellofemoral pain had greater knee flexion than asymptomatic adolescents at 35%-40% of the gait cycle (p = 0.04) and ran with a higher cadence (mean difference [95% confidence interval] = 5.8 [2.0, 9.5] steps/min). There were no other statistically significant differences between groups during running. Adolescents with patellofemoral pain demonstrate few biomechanical differences to asymptomatic adolescents during walking and running. The identified differences are likely of limited clinical importance. Biomechanical alterations which have been previously associated with patellofemoral pain in adults, may not need to be the target of management of adolescent patellofemoral pain.

MEMS 6-axis force sensor chip for spike pins in athletic sports shoes

MEMS 6-axis force sensor chip for spike pins in athletic sports shoes

What Do Patients Report Regarding Their Real-World Function Following Concurrent Arthrodesis of the First Tarsometatarsal and First Metatarsophalangeal Joints

First metatarsal phalangeal joint and the first Tarsometatarsal arthrodesis have both been used for deformity correction and treatment of pain and arthritis. Concomitant arthrodesis of the first metatarsophalangeal and first tarsometatarsal joints (Double First Ray Arthrodesis) has rarely been described. We surveyed 29 patients who underwent double first-ray arthrodesis for primary or revision correction of hallux valgus. A custom questionnaire was used to assess their activities of daily living and sports activity at a mean follow-up of 19.6 months (median 18.4 months). Secondary endpoints were return to activity, deformity correction, and arthrodesis healing rate. The primary outcomes showed an excellent return to activities of daily living with 96.6% of patients capable of walking as much as they liked after surgery at a normal pace. About 96.6% reported they felt that their surgery was successful, they had no pain, and the loss of motion at the joint fusion sites did not affect their ability to perform daily activities. Protected walking in a fracture boot was initiated at a mean (SD) of 9.8 (9.9) days. Return to an athletic shoe occurred at a mean (SD) of 44.2 (11.7) days. Full unrestricted activity was at a mean (SD) of 105.2 (19.3) days with 65% of the patient group reporting that their recovery was easier than expected. There was 1 nonunion and no other complications. This data set supports the hypothesis that patients undergoing double first-ray arthrodesis can return to activities of daily living and sports with and low complication rate.

Assessment of Contact Allergens in "Hypoallergenic" Athletic Shoes by Mass Spectrometry.

Background: Identification of athletic shoes for patients with contact allergy is difficult. Company reports of allergen content are often incorrect. Objectives: To determine whether chemical analysis of 4 athletic shoes, previously reported to be free of the most common contact allergens, contain quantifiable allergen levels. Methods: Samples from the uppers and insoles of 4 shoes believed to be free of common allergens were assessed by mass spectrometry. A total of 4 rubber accelerators and 2 adhesives were directly quantified and additional 7 rubber accelerators were assessed using semiquantitative measures. Results: Aside from carbamates (assayed as 59 ppm zinc in insoles) in SeaVee's Sixty-Six sneakers, para-tertiarybutylphenol formaldehyde resin (PTBFR) (assayed as 7.6 ppm paratertiary butylphenol or 4-tertiary butylphenol [4TBP] in uppers) in Allbirds Tree Runners and rosin (assayed as 628 ppm sodium abietate in uppers) and carbamates (24 ppm zinc in uppers) in Saucony Jazz sneakers, these shoes had low levels of all allergens assayed in this study. Tom's Carlo sneakers contained rosin (127 ppm sodium abietate in insoles), PTBFR (6.5 ppm 4TBP in uppers), and carbamates (112 ppm sodium abietate in insoles) but had low levels of all other assayed allergens. Conclusions: Although identifying allergen-free shoes is challenging, the results of this analysis will help patch testing physicians recommend athletic shoes to patients with specific allergies.

The Effect of Lightweight Shoes on Air Force Basic Training Injuries: A Randomized Controlled Trial

ABSTRACT Introduction/Purpose Bone stress injuries (BSI) are a leading medical diagnosis and cause of training disruptions and increased costs in US Air Force basic military training (BMT). Currently, as required by law, all trainees are issued athletic shoes upon arrival to BMT; however, the issued shoes are often disliked by trainees and are suspected of contributing to injury. This study investigated the effect of issuing shoes with lighter weight, lower heel-to-toe drop, and wider toe box than the standard-issue shoes to compare comfort, musculoskeletal injuries, and training outcomes. Methods In this blinded, randomized controlled product evaluation, trainees of a single BMT squadron were issued either the standard-issue shoes or a lighter-weight alternative; following completion of BMT, male and female cohorts were compared for differences in fitness assessment results, musculoskeletal injuries, and graduation delays using routinely collected databases. Associations between categorical variables were analyzed using a chi-square test with significance set to α ≤ 0.05. Results Among male trainees, issuing the lighter-weight shoe resulted in an absolute risk reduction of 6.05% (from 13.87% to 7.82%) and a relative risk reduction of 43.62% for BSI. Also, trainees who received the heavier standard-issue shoes noted the shoes to be “too uncomfortable to wear” at a significantly higher rate. Conclusion Issuing shoes with lighter weight, smaller heel-to-toe drop, and wider toe box appears to reduce the risk of BSI and shoe dissatisfaction among male BMT trainees; such shoe characteristics should be considered for use in populations engaging in similar physical training.

Consumer Value and Risk Perception on Consumer Purchase Intention in Athletic Shoe Markets

In the ever-evolving sports equipment industry, iconic brands like Adidas, Nike, and Puma have transcended their athletic origins to become fashion symbols, adapting to the preferences of the modern consumer. Brand recognition plays a crucial role in distinguishing quality products, aiding effective marketing efforts, segmentation, and customer loyalty. This study delves into the brand management strategies of these leading athletic shoe companies, focusing on how they maintain their brand presence in a fiercely competitive market and adapt to changing consumer trends. Employing a quantitative approach, we examined the relationship between Consumer Value, Brand Awareness, and Risk Perception and their impact on Purchase Intention among consumers seeking to purchase Nike shoes. Our findings highlight the significant influence of these factors on Purchase Intention, reinforcing their importance in consumer decision-making. We recommend strategies for Nike, such as enhancing product quality and introducing distinctive shoe designs, leveraging social media for brand awareness, and implementing features to reduce counterfeit risks, all aimed at shaping the future of the athletic shoe industry.&#x0D; Keywords: Athletic footwear, brand management, consumer behavior, purchase intention, sportswear industry&#x0D; &#x0D; ABSTRAK&#x0D; Dalam industri peralatan olahraga yang terus berubah, merek-merek terkenal seperti Adidas, Nike, dan Puma telah melampaui akar mereka dalam olahraga untuk menjadi simbol mode, mengikuti preferensi konsumen modern. Pengenalan merek memainkan peran penting dalam membedakan produk berkualitas, membantu upaya pemasaran yang efektif, segmentasi, dan membangun loyalitas pelanggan. Penelitian ini menyelidiki strategi manajemen merek dari perusahaan sepatu olahraga terkemuka ini, dengan fokus pada bagaimana mereka menjaga kehadiran merek mereka di pasar yang sangat kompetitif dan beradaptasi dengan tren konsumen yang berubah. Dengan menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif, kami mengeksplorasi hubungan antara Nilai Konsumen, Kesadaran Merek, dan Persepsi Risiko serta dampaknya pada Niat Pembelian di kalangan konsumen yang ingin membeli sepatu Nike. Hasil penelitian kami menunjukkan pengaruh signifikan dari faktor-faktor ini pada Niat Pembelian, yang mengukuhkan pentingnya mereka dalam keputusan konsumen. Kami juga memberikan rekomendasi strategis untuk Nike, seperti meningkatkan kualitas produk dan menghadirkan desain sepatu yang unik, memanfaatkan media sosial untuk meningkatkan kesadaran merek, dan mengimplementasikan fitur-fitur untuk mengurangi risiko barang palsu, semuanya bertujuan untuk membentuk masa depan industri sepatu olahraga..&#x0D; Kata kunci: Sepatu olahraga, manajemen merek, perilaku konsumen, niat beli konsumen, industri pakaian olahraga.

Analisis Postur Kerja Karyawan Produksi Sepatu Olahraga Menggunakan Metode Novel Ergonomic Postural Assessment pada Karyawan Ruang Produksi UD. XYZ Gresik

This research is discussed about the analysis of work posture in small-medium industries that produce sports shoes. UD XYZ Gresik is one of the companies in the athletic shoe industry that receives requests for shoes every day. Working hours for 9 hours with a break time of 1 hour. Production targets are sometimes not achieved, causing employees to work overtime. Along with the targets that must be achieved every day, employees in the shoe production room have to sit for a long time during working hours. Long working hours have an impact on musculoskeletal disorders, especially back pain. Working posture (sitting position) and length of work are factors that affect physical ability which continues to decline. Thus resulting in absenteeism and economic losses caused by a decrease in work capacity and a decrease in employee productivity. Novel Ergonomic Postural Assessment as an ergonomics method used as a tool to analyze the risk of ergonomics and working posture in the upper body to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries in the production process. The results showed that the value of the first working posture was 6 (work posture needs further research and action is needed in the near future). For the second working posture, the final NERPA score was 7 (work posture needs to be checked further and action taken as soon as possible). Both of these scores require improvement due to the risk of severe musculoskeletal disorders.

Comparison of Anterior Ankle Translation With and Without Ankle Braces.

Lateral ankle sprains are a common musculoskeletal injury. Ankle braces are frequently used to prevent ankle injuries. The purpose of this study was to examine the anterior translation of the talocrural joint of 2 ankle braces relative to a control. Ankle mobility was assessed with the Mobil-Aider arthrometer in 3 conditions: TayCo ankle brace, Aircast ankle brace, and control. Three measures were recorded for each condition. Thirty participants (9 male and 21 female patients) participated. Friedman's analysis of variance found significant between-group differences for the trial with the largest translation. Wilcoxon signed-ranks post hoc testing found significant between-group differences between the control and TayCo (P < .001) and the control and Aircast conditions (P < .001). Post hoc power analysis revealed a Kendall's W of 0.804. The TayCo brace is unique in that it is worn on the outside of the athletic shoe, whereas the Aircast is composed of lateral constraints worn inside the shoe. Both braces provided significant constraint over anterior talus translation when compared to control. The TayCo brace (51%-52% of control) was also significantly better than the Aircast (58%-59% of control) with less anterior translation permitted. This may be instrumental in preventing ankle injuries. 2b.

Dorsiflexion shoes affect joint-level landing mechanics related to lower extremity injury risk in females

ABSTRACT Athletic shoes that induce dorsiflexion in standing can improve jump height compared to traditional athletic shoes that induce plantarflexion, but it is unknown if dorsiflexion shoes (DF) also affect landing biomechanics associated with lower extremity injury risk. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate if DF adversely affect landing mechanics related to patellofemoral pain and anterior cruciate ligament injury risk compared to neutral (NT) and plantarflexion (PF) shoes. Sixteen females (21.65 ± 4.7 years, 63.69 ± 14.3 kg, 1.60 ± 0.05 m) performed three maximum vertical countermovement jumps in DF (−1.5°), NT (0°) and PF (8°) shoes as 3D kinetics and kinematics were recorded. One-way repeated-measures ANOVAs revealed peak vertical ground reaction force, knee abduction moment and total energy absorption were similar between conditions. At the knee, peak flexion and joint displacement were lower in DF and NT, while relative energy absorption was greater in PF (all p < .01). Conversely, relative ankle energy absorption was greater in DF and NT compared to PF (p < .01). Both DF and NT induce landing patterns that may increase strain on passive structures in the knee, emphasising the need for landing mechanics to be considered when testing footwear as gains in performance could come at the cost of injury risk.

The effect of upper panel stiffness on biomechanical performance in athletic footwear

Athletic footwear can improve performance through targeted design features to improve biomechanical mechanisms of performance. The alteration of athletic shoe uppers can impact athletic performance and biomechanics in both males and females; moreover, the impact may differ between males and females due to anatomical differences between sexes. Therefore, assessment of sex-specific impacts of footwear modification on athletic performance is essential when determining how to modify footwear. The purpose of this research was to determine the impact of upper panel stiffness on biomechanical performance during agility tasks and determine if the optimal upper stiffness depends on the sex of the athlete. It was hypothesized that stiffening the upper panel, quantified through uniaxial tension testing, would result in decreased contact time and increased force production during jumping and change of direction tasks. Forty participants (20 males, 20 females) were recruited and completed eight lateral skater jumps, eight counter movement jumps, three triangle drop step drills and six anterior-posterior drills in three footwear conditions that varied in upper panel stiffness. 3D motion capture and embedded force plates were used to measure biomechanical outcomes that were compared between stiffness conditions using a linear mixed effect model. Upper panel stiffness significantly affected contact time during the lateral skater jump with the stiffest shoe resulting in the shortest contact time compared to the two other conditions (p = .02–.046, η2 = 0.18). No sex-related interactions were found for any outcome variable. Taken together, upper panel stiffness is important to consider when developing both male and female footwear.

Thermomechanical Properties of Cross-Linked EVA: A Holistic Approach

Cross-linked ethylene–vinyl acetate (EVA) is used in technically demanding applications ranging from solar cell encapsulants exposed to years of harsh environments to athletic shoes exposed to countless impact recovery cycles. The thermomechanical properties of this versatile material represent the combined responses of semicrystalline and elastomeric components. To fully describe structure–property relations of cross-linked EVA, it is necessary to explore the combined effects of vinyl acetate content, molecular weight, and chain topology on the thermomechanical properties. The interdependent effects of these factors influence both the amount of crystallinity and the size of the crystallites within the material. Subsequent cross-linking of EVA reduces crystallinity relative to the un-cross-linked starting materials. By controlling the properties of the un-cross-linked starting materials and the degree of cross-linking, it is possible to tune the performance properties of the cross-linked EVA. Understanding these effects enables material selection and property adjustment to meet the demands of existing and emerging applications.

The Bionic High-Cushioning Midsole of Shoes Inspired by Functional Characteristics of Ostrich Foot.

The sole is a key component of the interaction between foot and ground in daily activities, and its cushioning performance plays a crucial role in protecting the joints of lower limbs from impact injuries. Based on the excellent cushioning performance of the ostrich foot and inspired by the structure and material assembly features of the ostrich foot's metatarsophalangeal skeletal-tendon and the ostrich toe pad-fascia, a functional bionic cushioning unit for the midsole (including the forefoot and heel) area of athletic shoes was designed using engineering bionic technology. The bionic cushioning unit was then processed based on the bionic design model, and the shoe soles were tested with six impact energies ranging from 3.3 J to 11.6 J for a drop hammer impact and compared with the conventional control sole of the same size. The results indicated that the bionic forefoot area absorbed 9.83-34.95% more impact and 10.65-43.84% more energy than the conventional control forefoot area, while the bionic heel area absorbed 26.34-44.29% more impact and 28.1-51.29% more energy than the conventional control heel area when the controlled impact energy varied from 3.3 J to 11.6 J. The cushioning performance of the bionic cushioning sole was generally better than that of the conventional control sole, and the cushioning and energy-absorption performances of the heel bionic cushioning unit were better than those of the forefoot bionic cushioning unit. This study provides innovative reference and research ideas for the design and development of sports shoes with good cushioning performance.

Photo Cameroon: Studio Portraiture, 1970s-1990s

Photo Cameroon: Studio Portraiture, 1970s-1990s

Balance effects of tactile stimulation at the foot

Balance relies on several types of sensory information, including somatosensory senses such as touch and position sense (proprioception). As these senses decline in older adults, there is a question of whether shoes limit somatosensory feedback from the floor. Textured insoles are designed to stimulate the soles of the feet to enhance tactile feedback. Textured insoles have shown balance benefits in some populations, but it is unclear if such tactile stimulation improves a person's balance even in cushioned athletic shoes, which dampen proprioceptive signals. Here we ask whether tactile vs. proprioceptive cues contribute differently to balance control in the healthy somatosensory system. We assessed balance in 20 healthy young adults under four footwear conditions: cushioned shoes with regular insoles, cushioned shoes with textured insoles, barefoot, and minimalist shoes. Each condition was evaluated using the Y-Balance Test (YBT) and the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS), validated tests of dynamic and static balance, respectively. YBT is a dynamic reaching test performed on one leg. The BESS includes various stance conditions with eyes closed. The results showed that footwear influenced dynamic balance only, with textured insoles leading to significantly better performance than barefoot and minimalist shoes did in the YBT. These results suggest that at least for dynamic balance, balance benefits of tactile stimulation from the textured insoles offset any dampening of proprioception caused by the athletic shoes' cushioning. Future research on how these conditions compare in older adults may lead to improved footwear recommendations to reduce fall risk and injuries for that population.

FACIAL CONTACT DERMATITIS CAUSED BY PENCIL ERASERS

<h3>Introduction</h3> Allergic contact dermatitis is a delayed type hypersensitivity reaction that can occur in previously sensitized individuals. While contact dermatitis prevalence in kids may be as high as 20-25%, the exact prevalence is unknown. Patch testing should be performed in patients concern for allergic contact dermatitis to determine the cause and prevent future reactions. <h3>Case Description</h3> A 16-year-old female with a history of eczema presents with a 2-year history of an intermittent itchy and flaky rash over her forehead and face. She initially was treated for seborrheic dermatitis without improvement. She denies changes in cosmetics or soaps. So far, fluocinolone oil and Vaseline seem to help the most, but nothing has prevented the rash from coming back. She was referred to allergy and T.R.U.E. test panel including 36 allergens was placed. At 96 hours, patch test showed 1+ reaction to mercapto mix. Upon discovering this sensitivity, patient recalls that when her rash started, she and her friends were using pencil erasers as earring backs. The erasers had irritated her ears, so she removed them, and the rash on her forehead coincidentally improved prior to patch testing. <h3>Discussion</h3> This case highlights the importance of patch testing even without a known exposure as an allergen must be identified and avoided to prevent recurrence of allergic contact dermatitis. Mercapto mix compounds are found in natural rubber, butyl rubber, nitrile, or neoprene products including gloves, athletic shoes, rubber-bands, erasers, and headphones. Allergy to mercapto mix is rare with most studies reporting <1% prevalence.