Category
Running & Jumping
Document Type
Paper
Abstract
The feet are completely enclosed by shoes when performing athletic activities. However, footwear uppers are often overlooked when studying running performance. We sought to understand how targeted changes in the upper stiffness can influence running centre-of-mass (COM) work and footwear fit, via plantar pressure, with ten participants running at 3 m/s. We also investigated the relationship between peak toe pressure and COM work. We found that having a stretchy material over the cuneiforms with a stiffer material across the metatarsals and talus improved running performance by reducing the amount of COM work to run at a set speed. This configuration also improved qualitative fit and reduced peak toe pressure, a quantitative measure of fit. Finally, we found peak toe pressure is associated with COM work. This metric can be used outside-the-lab to understand fit and performance.
Recommended Citation
Honert, Eric C.; Harrison, Kate; Kilpatrick, Bethany; Singletary, Milena; Luftglass, Adam R.; and Feeney, Daniel
(2024)
"TARGETED CHANGES IN FOOTWEAR UPPER STRETCH IMPROVES RUNNING PERFORMANCE AND FOOTWEAR FIT,"
ISBS Proceedings Archive: Vol. 42:
Iss.
1, Article 16.
Available at:
https://commons.nmu.edu/isbs/vol42/iss1/16
