Background: The aim of this study was to identify whether there are differences between plantar pressure distributions experienced whilst wearing ice skates during ice-gliding, compared to standing whilst barefoot, wearing trainers and wearing ice skates. The results of this study aim to provide a greater understanding of the distribution of the pressure through the ice skate to the human musculoskeletal system. Material/Methods: Nine female participants were recruited for this study (age 36.6 years ± 15.3, mass 63.7kg ± 7.4 height 1.63m ± 4.1). Pressure applied to the plantar surface of the feet was recorded at 50Hz using an F-Scan sensor. Data was collected for 5 seconds while participants performed an ice glide in their own ice skates. Standing data was collected over the same period of time while participants stood still on a carpeted surface wearing their own ice skates, their own trainers and cotton socks without shoes. For each condition 10 trials of data were collected. Results: The results reported similar peak pressure distributions under the plantar region of the foot for standing and ice gliding while wearing ice skates. Furthermore, the results identified a shift of peak pressure values to the forefoot and midfoot regions whilst wearing ice skates compared to trainers. Conclusions: This research suggests information on plantar pressures during ice gliding may be obtained from standing data in future research and that ice skates may expose the wearer to an increased risk of plantar pressure related injuries in the forefoot/midfoot regions of the feet.
The current study aimed to investigate the influence of energy boost, spring and conventional footwear on running economy and substrate usage. Ten male runners completed 5 min steady state runs in energy boost, spring and conventional footwear. Running economy and percent contribution of carbohydrate to total calorie expenditure were assessed. Participants also subjectively indicated which shoe condition they preferred for running. Differences between footwear were examined using repeated measures ANOVA. The results showed firstly that running economy was significantly improved in the energy return (33.36 ml.kg.min -1) compared to spring (34.83 ml.kg.min -1) and conventional footwear (34.65 ml.kg.min -1). In addition, percent carbohydrate was significantly lower in the energy return (74.51%) in comparison to the spring (78.56%) and conventional (78.52%) footwear. As running economy was improved and carbohydrate utilization reduced in the energy return footwear, this study indicates that they may be associated with improvements in running performance.
Purpose. Localised peak pressure linked to overuse injuries has been documented extensively at the plantar surface during human locomotion. There is however a paucity of research investigating pressure applied to non-plantar regions of the foot during movement. This study investigates the magnitudes of peak pressures applied to the lateral side of the 5th metatarsal head (5MTH) and calcaneus (CC) by the uppers of footwear during sports movements. Method. A plantar pressure measuring system was adapted to fit into a sock covering the lateral aspect of the L5MTH and LCC. Six male participants (26.7 ± 2.4 years, 75.2 ± 5.5 kg) performed ten trials each of starting, stopping, sprinting, cutting and sidestepping at self-selected velocities, whilst wearing the pressure measuring device. Repeated measures ANOVA’s were used to examine differences between peak pressures at different aspects of the lateral side of the dorsum of the foot. Results. The results indicate significant differences (p 0.05) between peak pressures at the LCC compared to the L5MTH. Significant differences in peak pressure at the L5MTH were also found between movement strategies. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were reported at the LCC between different movements. Conclusions. The results identify a need for athletes pre-disposed to injuries in the uppers of the feet to consider the possible influence of footwear on the magnitudes of peak pressures applied to the lateral side of the dorsum of their feet.
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