GROUND REACTION FORCES IN RUNNING SHOES WITH TWO TYPES OF CUSHIONING COLUMN SYSTEMS

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the effects of running shoes with two types of cushioning column systems on impact forces during running. Kinematic and ground reaction force data were collected from ten normal subjects wearing shoes with the following cushions: 4-column MPU elastomer (Shoe 1), 4-column thermoplastic polyester elastomer (Shoe 2), and 1-unit EVA foam (Shoe 3). Subjects exhibited significantly lower impact force (p =.02) and loading rate (p =.005) with shoe 2 (1.84 ± .24 BW; 45.6 ± 11.6 BW/s) compared to shoe 1 (1.94 ± .18 BW; 57.9 ± 12.1 BW/s). Both cushioning column shoes showed similar impact force characteristics to those of a topmodel running shoe (shoe 3). This study showed that even in similar shoe types, impact force and loading rate values could significantly vary with midsole cushion constructions.