Different Types Of Shoes Research Articles

The experiences of podiatrists prescribing custom foot orthoses and patients using custom foot orthoses for foot pain management in the United Kingdom: A focus group study.

Foot pain can be a significant burden for patients. Custom foot orthoses (CFOs) have been a mainstay in podiatry treatment for foot pain management and improving foot function. However, little is known about podiatrists' experience of prescribing CFOs or patient experience of using foot orthoses (FOs), including CFOs, for foot pain. A focus group (FG) discussion with three FOs users (Female=2 and Male=1) was conducted in November 2022 within a private podiatry practice. This group represented non-experts from the general local population of individuals with existing or previous foot pain who have personally experienced using either over-the-counter FOs or CFOs. An online FG discussion with five musculoskeletal (MSK) specialist podiatrists (Female=2 and Male=3) was also conducted in December 2022. This group represented podiatrists with specialist knowledge in foot biomechanics and clinical experience in CFO provision. The FG discussions were recorded and lasted 49 and 57min respectively. Transcribed data was manually coded, and a thematic analysis was undertaken to identify patterns within the collected data. The participants in the patient FG detailed mixed experiences of the prescription process and CFOs received, with reports of limited involvement/input in their prescription, the need for frequent adjustments and high costs. The impact on footwear choices, replicability and transferability of CFOs into different types of shoes and technologies to aid design were also highlighted. In the podiatrist FG, lack of confidence in design and manufacture processes, prescription form language, relationship and communication building with manufacturers, variability in the CFOs issued and the need for better student education in CFO provision emerged as key themes. Patients and podiatrists shared similar views on CFO provision, namely poorcommunication with manufacturers leading to dissatisfaction with the CFOs prescribed causing negative impacts on patient experiences. Podiatrists called for greater education at registration level to increase new graduate podiatrist knowledge in CFO design and manufacture and better collaboration with manufacturing companies.

Inertial Sensor-Based Quantification of Movement Symmetry in Trotting Warmblood Show-Jumping Horses after "Limb-by-Limb" Re-Shoeing of Forelimbs with Rolled Rocker Shoes.

Hoof care providers are pivotal for implementing biomechanical optimizations of the musculoskeletal system in the horse. Regular visits allow for the collection of longitudinal, quantitative information ("normal ranges"). Changes in movement symmetry, e.g., after shoeing, are indicative of alterations in weight-bearing and push-off force production. Ten Warmblood show jumping horses (7-13 years; 7 geldings, 3 mares) underwent forelimb re-shoeing with rolled rocker shoes, one limb at a time ("limb-by-limb"). Movement symmetry was measured with inertial sensors attached to the head, withers, and pelvis during straight-line trot and lunging. Normalized differences pre/post re-shoeing were compared to published test-retest repeatability values. Mixed-model analysis with random factors horse and limb within horse and fixed factors surface and exercise direction evaluated movement symmetry changes (p < 0.05, Bonferroni correction). Withers movement indicated increased forelimb push-off with the re-shod limb on the inside of the circle and reduced weight-bearing with the re-shod limb and the ipsilateral hind limb on hard ground compared to soft ground. Movement symmetry measurements indicate that a rolled rocker shoe allows for increased push-off on soft ground in trot in a circle. Similar studies should study different types of shoes for improved practically relevant knowledge about shoeing mechanics, working towards evidence-based preventative shoeing.

Measurement and Analysis of ground reaction forces Distribution and electromyography for Ankle Joint Fixation Injury Using Different Types of Shoes

One of the health issues that many people encounter on a daily basis is bone fracture, which can happen for a number of reasons, such as arthritis, sprains, or external trauma . The patient experiences instability as a result of these issues . Internal fixation is a type of surgery used to support and mend a damaged bone Treatment options include ankle joint fixation, a surgical procedure employing pins, plates, rods, or screws. This study uses gait analysis methods to assess lower limb biomechanics . Gait analysis is vital for understanding walking patterns and intervention effectiveness. The impact of different shoe designs on ankle mechanics, using the finite element method and ANSYS, is investigated The results of the EMG and the GRF were discussed. This research deepens our understanding of lower limb biomechanics and ankle joint health. By evaluating stress effects and designing custom shoes, it enhances ankle injury treatment and management strategies. The patient, a 70-year-old woman with an internal fixation on her ankle joint, underwent a CT scan of her ankle. The patient underwent a number of experiments to evaluate her stability. EMG was used to determine the muscle stress for a brief period of time, and ground reaction force was then used to determine the pressure of walking. Both EMG and GRF have two walking speeds of1.5and 2 km/h while wearing four different types of shoes. The behavior of the EMG demonstrates that the stress on the muscle increases as walking speed increases, and the results varies depending on the shoe. The patient is afraid to apply pressure to the injured foot, so the health foot has better pressure over the entire foot

Comparison of lower extremity kinematics and ground reaction forces between adolescents who run in motion control shoes with adolescents who run in neutral shoes

Differences in running biomechanics have been reported in adult long-distance runners when running in motion control or neutral shoes. The influence of growth and coordination refinement during puberty limits the generalisability of adult research to adolescents and it is unknown if biomechanics differ between adolescent who run in different types of shoes. The purpose of our study was to compare lower extremity kinematics and ground reaction forces between adolescents running in motion control or neutral shoes. We matched 18 adolescent long-distance runners who ran in motion control shoes with 18 adolescent long-distance runners who ran in neutral shoes according to running speed, sex, and physical maturation. We collected three-dimensional kinematic and ground reaction force data during overground running and performed statistical parametric mapping to compare joint angle and ground reaction force waveforms between the motion control and neutral shoe groups. We found no significant differences for hip, knee, or ankle joint angles (average differences <2°) or ground reaction forces (average differences <0.05 N/kg) between runners who ran in motion control or neutral shoes. Lower extremity kinematics and ground reaction forces were similar between adolescents who ran in motion control or neutral shoes.

Changing Revealed Comparative Advantage: A Case Study of Footwear Industry of Pakistan

The global export patterns are changing fast as a result of reduction in trade barriers and technological advancements that have led to gains in productivity and change in comparative advantage patterns in world economies. Asian economies such as China and India are enjoying a notable growth in changing circumstances across the world. Pakistan also has great potential for higher growth however the political threats, socioeconomic environment and lack of updated technologies are obstruction in the way of progress. Some sectors of Pakistan economy have shown a good performance in terms of production and exports. Footwear is one such industry which has increased its exports at large extent since 2003. This sector has pivotal importance in terms of providing and creating jobs, earning of foreign exchange with the help of exports and fulfilling the local consumption requirements. Both in Pakistan and around the globe, the demand for footwear is increasing. Pakistan is one of the most populous countries in the World and according to an estimate with an average population growth of 2.25 percent, about 3 million children have been born during the year 2005-06, signaling the growing demand for footwear in Pakistan. It is also estimated that about 60 percent of the World’s total consumption consists of simple footwear made entirely of non-leather materials and that for the remaining 40 percent only the upper part of the shoe is made of leather. In the manufacturing of footwear, most frequently used material consists upon leather, man-made materials, rubber / canvas / synthetic and textile along accessories. Different type of shoes are being produced by the local industry e.g. sportsmen, army, disabled persons and safety shoes for the industrial workers etc. The population of Pakistan is expected to be about 172 million in the year 2010. Keeping in view the growth in population, the growth in the demand of footwear industry is also anticipated.

Track Running Shoes: A Case Report of the Transition from Classical Spikes to “Super Spikes” in Track Running

Research on high-tech running shoes is increasing but few studies are available about the use of high-tech track spike shoes (super spikes), despite their growing popularity among running athletes. The aim of this case study was to investigate kinematics, kinetics, and plantar pressures of an Olympic running athlete using two different types of shoes, to provide an easy and replicable method to assess their influence on running biomechanics. The tested athlete performed six running trials, at the same speed, wearing a pair of normal spikes shoes (NSS) and a super spikes shoe (SSS), in random order. SSS increased contact time, vertical impact, and swing force (Effect Size 3.70, 7.86, and 1.31, respectively), while it reduced foot-strike type and vertical ground reaction force rate (Effect Size 3.62 and 7.21, respectively). Moreover, a significant change was observed in medial and lateral load, with SSS inducing a more symmetrical load distribution between the left and right feet compared to the NSS (SSS left medial load 57.1 ± 2.1%, left lateral load 42.9 ± 1.4%, right medial load 55.1 ± 2.6%, right lateral load 44.9 ± 2.6%; NSS left medial load 58.4 ± 2.6%, left lateral load 41.6 ± 2.1%, right medial load 49.2 ±3.7%, right lateral load 50.8 ± 3.7%). The results of this case study suggest the importance of using individual evaluation methods to assess shoe adaptations in running athletes, which can induce biomechanical modifications and should be considered by coaches to ensure optimal running performance.

Vision-based feet detection power liftgate with deep learning on embedded device

Kick-Open power liftgates are the standard configuration for most high-end SUVs and sedans in recent years, but the traditional sensor-based trunk opening systems mainly rely on detecting the distance change between foot and vehicle to monitor the users’ operation intention, which is more sensitive to interference like weather change or unintentional body movement. We proposed a novel vision-based feet position detection power liftgate system, which detects the feet’ position through a deep learning model. Its framework is based on Nanodet, and the model is quantified and then convert and deploy on the low-power embedded system. We have trained the network using our dedicated dataset that considered various situations, including various weather conditions, different illumination conditions, different types of shoes in various seasons, and various ground surfaces. The total parameters of our model are 0.7M. In the test phase, our system works at 8FPS and reached a recognition accuracy rate of 93.3%, and a recall rate of 92%. Our system can be applied to low-cost embedded devices for automobiles and show satisfying performance and reliability.

Does Footwear Influence Countermovement Jump Parameters Used To Monitor Performance In Collegiate Basketball Players?

The countermovement jump (CMJ) is frequently used in team sports to monitor short- and long-term changes in neuromuscular performance. Practical relevance in longitudinal changes may be subtle, requiring detailed and consistent testing protocols to limit error and allow for detection of meaningful change. Collegiate basketball players often wear different types of shoes depending upon the training activity, potentially influencing CMJ performance outcomes. PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of footwear on key CMJ performance variables used for routine monitoring strategies in a cohort of women’s collegiate basketball players. METHODS: 11 NCAA female basketball players performed three CMJs in sport- (S), training- (T), and olympic weightlifting (WL) shoes, in a randomized order in the same testing session. One-way repeated measures analyses of variance were used to discern differences in Concentric Mean Force (ConcMF), Eccentric Mean Force (EccMF), Jump Height (JH) and Reactive Strength Index Modified (RSIMod) during the CMJ among shoe conditions, with significant set at p ≤ 0.05. Effects sizes (Cohen’s d) were calculated for pairwise comparisons and interpreted as trivial (0-0.19), small (0.20-0.49), medium (0.50-0.79) and large (≥0.80). RESULTS: Significant differences were detected among shoe-types for ConcMF (T = 1650.1 ± 182.4; S = 1645.1 ± 188.2; WL = 1616.6 ± 164, p = 0.008), EccMF (T = 808.6 ± 84.2; S = 810.1 ± 85.5; WL = 812.5 ± 83.9, p < 0.001), JH (T = 28.2 ± 3.3; S = 28.2 ± 3.4; WL = 27.3 ± 2.7, p = 0.004) and RSIMod (T = 0.45 ± 0.06; S = 0.44 ± 0.06; WL = 0.42 ± 0.05, p = 0.001). Post-hoc pairwise comparisons revealed T exhibited significantly greater ConcMF (p = 0.018, d = 0.19), EccMF (p = 0.002, d = 0.05), JH (p = 0.040, d = 0.32) and RSIMod (p = 0.004, d = 0.49) compared to WL. Similarly, S demonstrated significantly greater EccMF (p = 0.014, d = 0.03), JH (p = 0.035, d = 0.33) and RSIMod (p = 0.032, d = 0.40) compared to WL. No significant differences and only trivial effects appeared between S and T (p > 0.05, d < 0.1). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest footwear significantly influences CMJ performance. Practically, controlling for footwear between S and T shoes may not be necessary when using the CMJ for routine athlete monitoring. However, WL shoes appear to significantly influence the CMJ, resulting in decreases in performance.

Are your shoes safe for the environment? – Toxicity screening of leachates from microplastic fragments of shoe soles using freshwater organisms

This study investigated the toxic effects of leachates from microplastic fragments of soles from four different types of shoes (slippers, trekking shoes, running shoes, and sneakers) on three aquatic organisms (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Daphnia magna, and Danio rerio). The chemical components in each leachate were identified; furthermore, chlorophyll a contents of C. reinhardtii were measured, and immobilization of D. magna and deformities in D. rerio were observed. The abnormalities observed in the test species exposed to the leachates were compared and chemical compounds majorly influencing the species were determined by principal component analysis (PCA). Sneaker leachate showed growth inhibitions in C. reinhardtii, immobility and mortality in D. magna, and severe abnormalities in D. rerio. Consequently, aquatic toxicity was majorly associated with benzothiazole, carbon disulfide, ethyl acetate, and p-xylene. The results showed that toxic chemicals could leach from load-originated microplastics when exposed to aquatic media, and consequently, induce significant negative effects on aquatic organisms. Since microplastics from shoe soles discharge the above-mentioned toxic chemicals, regulating the chemical use during plastic production is critical to prevent severe effects of microplastic toxicity in aquatic organisms, and to maintain the health of aquatic environments.

Gait kinetics impact shoe tread wear rate

BackgroundAdequate footwear is an important factor for reducing the risk of slipping; as shoe outsoles wear down, friction decreases, and slip and fall risk increases. Wear theory suggests that gait kinetics may influence rate of tread wear. Research questionDo the kinetics of walking (i.e., the shoe-floor force interactions) affect wear rate? MethodsFourteen participants completed dry walking trials during which ground reaction forces were recorded across different types of shoes. The peak normal force, shear force, and required coefficient of friction (RCOF) were calculated. Participants then wore alternating pairs of shoes in the workplace each month for up to 24 months. A pedometer was used to track the distance each pair of shoes was worn and tread loss was measured. The wear rate was calculated as the volumetric tread loss divided by the distance walked in the shoes. Three, mixed linear regression models were used to assess the impact of peak normal force, shear force, and RCOF on wear rate. ResultsWear rate was positively associated with peak RCOF and with peak shear force, but was not significantly related to peak normal forces. SignificanceThe finding that shear forces and particularly the peak RCOF are related to wear suggests that a person’s gait characteristics can influence wear. Therefore, individual gait kinetics may be used to predict wear rate based on the fatigue failure shoe wear mechanism.

Metabolic and performance responses of male runners wearing 3 types of footwear: Nike Vaporfly 4%, Saucony Endorphin racing flats, and their own shoes

PurposeWe compared running economy (RE) and 3-km time-trial (TT) variables of runners wearing Nike Vaporfly 4% (VP4), Saucony Endorphin lightweight racing flats (FLAT), and their habitual running (OWN) footwear. MethodsEighteen male recreational runners (age = 33.5 ± 11.9 year (mean ± SD), peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) = 55.8 ± 4.4 mL/kg·min) attended 4 sessions approximately 7 days apart. The first session consisted of a VO2peak test to inform subsequent RE speeds set at 60%, 70%, and 80% of the speed eliciting VO2peak. In subsequent sessions, treadmill RE and 3-km TTs were assessed in the 3 footwear conditions in a randomized, counterbalanced crossover design. ResultsOxygen consumption (mL/kg·min) was less in VP4 (from 4.3% to 4.4%, p ≤ 0.002) and FLAT (from 2.7% to 3.4%, p ≤ 0.092) vs. OWN across intensities, with a non-significant difference between VP4 and FLAT (1.0%–1.7%, p ≥ 0.292). Findings related to energy cost (W/kg) and energetics cost of transport (J/kg·m) were comparable. VP4 3-km TT performance (11:07.6 ± 0:56.6 mm:ss) was enhanced vs. OWN by 16.6 s (2.4%, p = 0.005) and vs. FLAT by 13.0 s (1.8%, p = 0.032). The 3-km times between OWN and FLAT (0.5%, p = 0.747) were similar. Most runners (n = 11, 61%) ran their fastest TT in VP4. ConclusionOverall, VP4 improved laboratory-based RE measures in male recreational runners at relative speeds compared to OWN, but the RE improvements in VP4 were not significant vs. FLAT. More runners exhibited better treadmill TT performances in VP4 (61%) vs. FLAT (22%) and OWN (17%). The variability in RE (–10.3% to 13.3%) and TT (–4.7% to 9.3%) improvements suggests that responses to different types of shoes are individualized and warrant further investigation.

Effect of hypoxia, safety shoe type, and lifting frequency on cardiovascular and ventilation responses

ObjectiveThere is limited work on the physiological demands of lifting activities at different altitudes and different lifting frequencies when wearing different types of shoes. This study aimed to examine the heart rate variability (HRV) and ventilation responses of individuals in normobaric hypoxia (ambient oxygen of 15%, 18%, and 21%) while doing lifting tasks and wearing three types of different safety shoes (“light, medium, and heavy-duty”) at two different lifting frequencies (“1 lift/min and 4 lifts/min”). MethodsUsing an experimental study design, two sessions were conducted by ten male university students that included an acclimatization and training session followed by experimental lifting. The study used a four-way repeated measures design (4 independent and twenty-one responses, i.e., twelve HRV and nine ventilation responses). ResultsThe findings highlighted substantial low HRV and ventilation parameters for the light workload stress in the form of higher ambient oxygen content and lowered lifting frequency while wearing light safety shoe type. It also presented an increase in the physical demand, followed by increased lifting frequency and replication with increased mean heart rate and decreased mean RR, very low frequency (VLF) power, low frequency (LF) power, and low frequency to a high-frequency ratio (LF/HF). ConclusionOur findings suggest that if a safe lifting load limit is applied for workers in the industrial environment, the risk of musculoskeletal disorders will be mainly decreased, and the rate of production will be better with ambient oxygen content and appropriate safety shoes. This research would safeguard industrial workers' physical capacities and future health risks.

Attenuation From Shoes and Pads in Equine Nuclear Scintigraphy, With Relevance to Solar Views.

Nuclear scintigraphy can be beneficial in the investigation of equine lameness and poor performance. Images obtained through the sole allow for better identification of a region of increased radionuclide uptake in the foot. The presence of shoes or pads may affect these images. To determine the degree of radioactive attenuation different types of shoes and pads of different thickness and materials were evaluated by placing the material directly on the gamma camera detector acquiring flood images from a point source. The study compared five different types of shoes from 3 different shoeing materials, steel, aluminum, and polyurethane. This study also assessed 8 different types of pads that were selected based on the subjective densities and variable rigidity of the materials. All types of shoes/pads evaluated caused some degree of attenuation (P < 0.05). Steel shoes of all types cause the most attenuation (54%), followed by aluminum shoes (22%), and the shoes or pads composed primarily of a plastic polymer cause the least amount of attenuation (15%). The results of the study found that pads or shoes cause significant (p < 0.05) attenuation of gamma radiation. Composition, thickness and density characterized mass absorption coefficient, of the material affect the amount of gamma radiation attenuation. Because of the attenuation of gamma radiation, we recommend shoes and pads be removed prior to nuclear scintigraphic examination of the front foot if a solar image is desired, as this attenuation may affect image quality.

Energy Harvesting Using Shoe Embedded with Piezoelectric Material

We have investigated the effect of the position and dimension of piezoelectric buzzers embedded in shoe soles on energy harvesting. The force and pressure generated by different types of shoes and heels were measured using plantar measurement systems. A Kistler force plate and zebris force distribution measurement provided precise values and locations of the force and pressure exerted by the foot on the sole. The position and area of buzzers inside the sole of the shoes resulted in a significant increase in electrical outputs. A maximum open-circuit voltage of 38 V, short circuit current of 33 μA, and harvested energy of 296.8 μJ cm−3 were found across a 100-μf capacitor for a wedge-heeled shoe. The open-circuit voltage in the wedge-heel type of shoe improved by more than five times when the pressure is changed from the heel to the toe and area of the buzzer is increased. Similarly, the energy stored across a 100-μF capacitor also improved by five times for the same shoe. Furthermore, the short circuit current improved by three times when the shoe was changed from a wedge heel to a block heel. The results indicate that this technique can be used to power wearable electronics and sensors.

The Effect of Shoe Type and Load Carrying on Electromyographic Activity of Lower Extremity Muscles during Stair Ascent and Descent

Objective Stair ascent and descent is an essential movement task in daily life in which individuals are subjected to repetitive impact forces. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the intensity of Electromyographic (EMG) activity in lower extremity muscles of healthy young men during stair ascent and descent task wearing different type of shoes and carrying loads. Methods Nine men with a mean age of 25.94±3.26 years, mean height of 174±7.4 cm, and mean weight of 70.95±8.25 kg were selected. Four stairs were fabricated and the electromyographic activity of their lower extremity muscles (two muscles in the posterior leg and three quadriceps muscles) in the right side of the body was measured using the 16-channel EMG system MA300 during the task. These tests were conducted in two conditions of with and without load carrying. The load was a cube-shaped box weighing 15% of the body weight. Three cases of footwear were set: barefoot, athletic shoes, and formal shoes. Repeated measure ANOVA was used for data analysis at the significant level of P&lt;0.05. Results The load factor had a significant effect on the intensity of muscle activity. The intensity of muscle activity during ascending stairs was higher than that during descending. In stair descent task, the EMG activity of the vastus medialis muscle was greater than that of the vastus lateralis and rectus femoris muscles, which causes the patella to be pulled inward more leading to patellofemoral articular cartilage wear in the long term. Conclusion Stair ascent puts more pressure on the ankle and knee joints. When carrying the load up stairs, the use of proper shoes can greatly reduce the intensity of muscle activity and delay fatigue. It is, therefore, recommended that people with patellofemoral articular cartilage wear should not use the stairs, if possible.

A Case Study Comparing Running Metrics Determined from Unshod and Various Shod Running Events.

Running is a popular form of cardiovascular exercise. Unfortunately, it can also lead to musculoskeletal injuries of the lower extremities. The epidemiology of such injuries remains in question as injury rates have remained relatively constant despite changes in shoe types, shoe mechanics, and gait methods. Wearables and networking technology have enabled real-world data collection that may be used to assess various gait parameters for the purposes of improving safety and performance. This study used a commercially available device to measure key gait metrics from a single user during unshod and shod running events. Shod running included different types of shoes. The results suggest the metrics may be invariant under the running conditions examined.

Comparison of foot loading and foot strike pattern in women running in minimalist and conventional sports shoes

Background: At present, most runners use conventional sports shoes to protect and absorb the impacts that may cause overloading of the feet and joints. On the other hand, some runners tend to run almost barefoot or in minimalist footwear that may lead to foot strike pattern changes. Objective: The aim of this study was to analyse and to compare the foot strike pattern and foot loading when running in conventional running shoes (CRS) and minimalist running shoes (MRS) in a group of recreational women runners. Methods: A group of 14 experienced recreational women runners participated in this research. A Pedar-X system (Novel, Munich, Germany) was used to analyse the interaction of the foot with the ground while running in different type of shoes from as it relates to vertical force and plantar pressure distribution. The participants ran over a distance of 100 m with their habitual foot strike pattern in minimalist and also in conventional running shoes and data was always obtained while running along a straight 50 m long section (v = 3.33 ± 0.2 m ⋅ s-1). For assessment of the temporal and kinetics variables differences, the Wilcoxon test and the unpaired t-tests were used. Results: Recreational women runners showed statistically significant shift of the plantar pressures towards the forefoot when running in MRS compared to CRS (p = .047). Duration of swing phase in MRS and in CRS was similar (p = .291). When running in MRS, foot loading during initial contact was significantly higher than when running in CRS. Loading in the area of midfoot and forefoot was significantly higher in MRS too. Conclusions: Runners shifted their foot strike pattern forward when running in MRS; running in MRS may increase the foot loading and we recommend the use of minimalist footwear only after adequate foot strengthening and adaptation to avoid possible risk of foot injuries.

Effect of Different Types of Shoes on Lower Limb Muscular Activation during Walking in Women

Purpose: The present study intended to compare the effects on the female body of high-heeled shoe types, including regular high heels, wedge heels, and platform heels, with those of sneakers during level walking by examining muscular activity in the lower limbs. Materials and Methods: Participants were 20 women in their 20s or 30s who regularly wear different types of size 8 (US size). The heel height tested was 7 cm, and electromyographic muscular activation (% maximal voluntary isometric contraction) was measured in the rectus femoris, tibialis anterior, and semitendinosus muscles of participants’ dominant legs during walking 15 m at a self–selected walking velocity step speed. Results: Rectus femoris revealed significant electromyographic differences among shoe types in terms of muscular activation (p = .013). Multiple comparisons among shoe types and activation of various muscles were carried out. These showed significant (p &lt; .05) differences in rectus femoris muscular activation among shoe types, most notably between sneakers and platform heels (average -15.69 (SD = 4.22) (p = .002)) and between sneakers and high heels (average 13.83 (SD = 4.22) (p = .010)). Conclusion: Results obtained revealed significant variation in muscular activation of rectus femoris among shoe types. Multiple pairwise comparisons of the differences in muscular activation of rectus femoris revealed significant differences between sneakers and high heeled shoes and between sneakers and platform heels. Therefore, the results of the present study are expected to be beneficial for ordinary individuals in selecting appropriate types of shoes that reduce the level of the muscle activation.

Effect of different types of shoes on balance among soccer players

Effect of different types of shoes on balance among soccer players

Combined effects of whole body vibration and unstable shoes on balance measures in older adults: A randomized clinical trial

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of 4 weeks of whole body vibration training on balance in older adults who word two different types of shoes: unstable (unstable group) versus standard shoes (stable group). DesignRandomized, single-blind clinical trial. ParticipantsSeventy eight eligible older adults were initially enrolled; 59 participants (mean age 69.7±5.3 years) completed the program. InterventionParticipants were randomized 1:1 to an intervention group that received whole body vibration with unstable shoes, and a control group that received whole body vibration with standard shoes. Outcome measuresThe Fullerton Advanced Balance scale, preferred gait speed, maximum gait speed, and Fall Efficacy Scale were recorded at baseline, after the 4-week intervention, and 1 month after the end of the training program. ResultsBoth groups showed improvement in all outcome measures at 4 weeks (p < 0.01) with no significant between-group differences. In the unstable group, the gains were maintained at follow-up (p < 0.01) whereas the scores returned to baseline values in the stable group. At follow-up, significant between-group differences were found for Fullerton Advanced Balance scale (p < 0.001), preferred gait speed (p = 0.007) and maximum gait speed (p = 0.007), and all were in favor of the unstable group. ConclusionCombining whole body vibration with unstable shoes can be proposed as a beneficial method with relatively long-term effects to improve balance measures in older people.