The influence of footwear on foot motion during walking and running

Abstract

There are evidences to suggest that wearing footwear constrains the natural barefoot motion during locomotion. Unlike prior studies that deduced foot motions from shoe sole displacement parameters, the aim of this study was to examine the effect of footwear motion on forefoot to rearfoot relative motion during walking and running. The use of a multi-segment foot model allowed accurate both shoe sole and foot motions (barefoot and shod) to be quantified. Two pairs of identical sandals with different midsole hardness were used. Ten healthy male subjects walked and ran in each of the shod condition. The results showed that for barefoot locomotion there was more eversion of the forefoot and it occurred faster than for shod locomotion. In this later condition, the range of eversion was reduced by 20% and the rate of eversion in late stance by 60% in comparison to the barefoot condition. The sole constrained both the torsional (eversion/inversion) and adduction range of motion of the foot. Interestingly, during the push-off phase of barefoot locomotion the rate and direction of forefoot torsion varied between individuals. However, most subjects displayed a forefoot inversion direction of motion while shod. Therefore, this experiment showed that the shoes not only restricted the natural motion of the barefoot but also appeared to impose a specific foot motion pattern on individuals during the push-off phase. These findings have implications for the matching of footwear design characteristics to individual natural foot function.

Biomechanical implications of walking with indigenous footwear

“…In line with Morio et al(2009) our results show that the rapid eversion motion occurred faster for shod locomotion compared to barefoot.…”

“…Previous biomechanical studies investigated the implications of walking in flip‐flops compared to barefoot and/or closed toe footwear (Chard, Greene, Hunt, Vanwanseele, & Smith, 2013; Morio et al, 2009; Shroyer & Weimar, 2010; Zhang et al, 2013) further support the hypothesis that all shoes, even the open‐toe footwear, yield different ankle kinematics compared to the barefoot condition. In line with Morio et al(2009) our results show that the rapid eversion motion occurred faster for shod locomotion compared to barefoot.…”

“…Causal relationships are difficult to demonstrate, but Sachitanandam and Joseph (1995) show, for instance, that adults who began to wear closed toe‐shoes before the age of six had a higher prevalence of flat feet compared to those who began wearing shoes only after the age of six. It has also been found that shoes can restrict the natural motion of the bare foot and impose a specific foot motion pattern on individuals during the push‐off phase (Morio, Lake, Gueguen, Rao, & Baly, 2009). …”

Effects of High Heels on Centre of Pressure Progression during Walking in Young Women

“…Footwear has a great influence on natural foot condition [16]. There is more eversion of forefoot in barefoot locomotion, and more inversion while shod [17]. It is important to discuss the differences women, and suggested that women Leather and Footwear Journal 16 (2016) 1 diferenþele între mersul cu picioarele goale ºi cel cu pantofi, având în vedere cã piciorul se aflã în stare naturalã atunci când este desculþ.…”

“…Încãlþãmintea influenþeazã semnificativ starea naturalã a piciorului [16]. Antepiciorul prezintã o eversie mai mare în timpul mersului desculþ ºi o inversie mai mare în timpul mersului cu pantofi [17]. Este important sã se discute 30…”