Title: Biomechanical analysis of the plantar and upper pressure with different sports shoes

Authors: Qichang Mei; Michael Graham; Yaodong Gu

Addresses: Human Movement Research Center, Faculty of Sports Science, Ningbo University, Zhejiang 315211, China ' Institute of Health, Medical Science and Society Science, Glyndwr University, Wrexham, Wales, UK ' Human Movement Research Center, Faculty of Sports Science, Ningbo University, Zhejiang 315211, China

Abstract: The purpose of the study is to probe into the difference in plantar pressure and dorsal pressure of three types of sports shoes: Basketball Shoes (BS); Running Shoes (RS); Tennis Shoes (TS). The novel insole measurement system and pressure sensor chips are utilised to obtain plantar and dorsal pressure. As to dorsal pressure, maximal Lateral Metatarsophalangeal (LM) joint of TS is distinctively different from BS and RS, mean LM of RS is apparently distinct from BS and TS. These distinctions might be of importance while designing shoes; factors like athletic performance, perceived comfort and injury prevention should be taken into consideration.

Keywords: footwear design; athletic performance; perceived comfort; injury prevention; biomedical engineering; biomechanical analysis; plantar pressure; upper pressure; sports shoes; dorsal pressure; basketball shoes; running shoes; tennis shoes; insole measurement systems; pressure sensors.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBET.2014.059668

International Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, 2014 Vol.14 No.3, pp.181 - 191

Received: 25 Nov 2013
Accepted: 17 Jan 2014
Published online: 16 Oct 2014 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article