Increased vertical impact forces and altered running mechanics with softer midsole shoes.

ABSTRACT: To date it has been thought that shoe midsole hardness does not affect vertical impact peak forces during running. This conclusion is based partially on results from experimental data using homogeneous samples of participants that found no difference in vertical impact peaks when running in shoes with different midsole properties. However, it is currently unknown how apparent joint stiffness is affected by shoe midsole hardness. An increase in apparent joint stiffness could result in a harder landing, which should result in increased vertical impact peaks during running. The purpose of this study was to quantify the effect of shoe midsole hardness on apparent ankle and knee joint stiffness and the associated vertical ground reaction force for age and sex subgroups during heel-toe running.

SUBMITTER: Baltich J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4405580 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature