Effects of rocker radii with two longitudinal bending stiffnesses on plantar pressure distribution in the forefoot

Effects of heel apex position, apex angle and rocker radius on plantar pressure in the heel region

“…This can be achieved by creating a curved rigid rocker shoe midsole, designed to rock the foot from heel strike to toe-off, while restricting the motion of the joints in the foot [ [10] , [11] , [12] , [13] ]. The rocker midsole can be altered by manipulation of the rocker shoe parameters (e.g., changing the orientation and position of the apex), in order to redirect the point of application of the GRF, to achieve proper pressure redistribution [ [11] , [12] , [13] , [14] , [15] , [16] , [17] ].…”

“…Several studies have examined methods to reduce high peak pressure (PP) in the forefoot region by altering forefoot rocker shoe design features [ [11] , [12] , [13] , [14] , [15] , [16] , [17] ]. Placing the apex position between 50 % and 60 % of the longitudinal axis for instance, reduces the PP in the MTH region while an apex position of 65 % reduces the PP in the hallux region [ 11 , [13] , [14] , [15] , [16] , [17] ]. Apex angles between 90° and 100° reduce the PP in MTH1 and hallux and between 70°and 80° in MTH5 [ 13 , 17 ].…”

“…Apex angles between 90° and 100° reduce the PP in MTH1 and hallux and between 70°and 80° in MTH5 [ 13 , 17 ]. Regarding the forefoot rocker radius, a small radius (62 % shoe length) reduces the PP in the hallux and other toes, while a small to medial (71 % of shoe length) rocker radius reduces the PP in the distal heel [ 14 ]. Although the biomechanical effect of the forefoot rocker parameters is known and plantar pressure redistribution can be achieved in the forefoot, the same interventions tend to increase the PP in the heel region [ 11 , 13 , 14 , 16 , 17 ].…”

“…As rocker shoes can increase the PP in the heel, when used as an intervention to decrease the PP in the forefoot, it is crucial to understand the optimal selection of heel rocker parameters to at least mitigate the PP increase in the heel. However, to our knowledge, the effect of the heel rocker parameters on the heel plantar pressure has not been studied yet [ 13 , 14 , 17 ]. Therefore, there is a need for more knowledge on the role of different heel rocker parameters on the pressure redistribution in the heel region [ 13 , 14 , 17 ].…”

“…However, to our knowledge, the effect of the heel rocker parameters on the heel plantar pressure has not been studied yet [ 13 , 14 , 17 ]. Therefore, there is a need for more knowledge on the role of different heel rocker parameters on the pressure redistribution in the heel region [ 13 , 14 , 17 ]. Once there is more knowledge on the effect of heel rocker parameters in reducing high pressure values, a combination of parameters for the forefoot rocker shoe and a heel rocker could be integrated in one shoe to reduce the pressure across the entire foot (if required).…”