What's the Impact of Safety Footwear on Workers Concerning Foot-Related Problems? A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to assess the impact of safety footwear (SF) on workers concerning foot-related problems, especially regarding discomfort, foot pain, and skin lesions. METHODS: A literature search of PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane databases was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. Studies reporting foot-related problems in workers wearing SF were included. Exclusion criteria included non-English papers, reviews, laboratory and animal studies, expert opinions, letters to the editor, and grey literature. The quality assessment was performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Descriptive statistic was used to present data. RESULT: The initial search results yielded 483 articles; 7 articles were included in the review process. Despite the extensive variety of SF, all studies consistently reported symptomatic discomfort and pain. The discomfort factors included heat, sweating, heaviness, and footwear flexibility, with primary issues in the toes, toecaps, or metatarsal-toe crease region. The pain prevalence ranged from 42.3% to 60.8% in various anatomical regions. Irritant Contact Dermatitis was the most common (97.9%) foot dermatosis, but other foot lesions were reported: dry skin (30.2%), calluses (30%), hard nails (28%), corns (27%), and blisters. CONCLUSIONS: Current SFs are designed to comply with safety regulations but are influenced by the frequent occurrence of discomfort and foot problems. The literature review identified weaknesses in certain design features. Recommendations have been proposed to improve SF development. These include addressing issues such as the selection of specific types and designs of SF based on task performance and the working environment, footwear weight, and breathable materials for moisture permeation. Considerations should also encompass distinct sizing for an optimal fit, insole application, especially for prolonged standing users, and education programs to prevent foot-related issues.

User perceptions of intelligent offloading diabetic footwear.

Aims: Adherence to therapeutic footwear is vital for effective diabetic foot ulcer prevention and treatment. Understanding the key adherence factors and potential barriers is important for footwear design and implementation. Our team is creating intelligent offloading footwear to prevent lower extremity amputations in people living with diabetes (PLwD). This exploratory study assessed the ability of the established Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model to predict behavioral intention to use or recommend this intelligent offloading footwear by PLwD, caregivers of PLwD, or medical professionals treating PLwD. Methods: Online and paper questionnaires were implemented to assess the impact of the UTAUT model factors (performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions) and psychosocial factors (attitude, anxiety, self-efficacy) on the overall behavioral intention to use the footwear. Furthermore, factors influencing potential acceptance and rejection of the footwear were explored. Results: Patients (4.0/5) and medical professionals (4.1/5) showed a behavioral intention to "agree" to use or recommend the footwear when it becomes available. Structural equation modeling showed that the UTAUT constructed model may not be the best indicator for behavioral intention here based on a lack of statistical significance. However, the logistic regression modeling showed that the social influence for PLwD (p=0.004) and the attitude toward the footwear for medical professionals (p=0.001) may be the most important when designing and implementing the footwear, though several other factors (performance expectancy, effort expectancy, facilitating conditions, and self-efficacy) were also important for one or both of these populations. Additionally, cost and clinician support were shown to be important factors influencing potential acceptance of the footwear. Conclusions: The study found promising intention to use the intelligent footwear in the future. This highlights the need to continue future development and implementation of the footwear to incorporate these results, thus improving the likelihood of high adherence of the footwear.

A biomechanical comparison of track spikes with advanced footwear technology to a traditional track spike in female distance runners.

The addition of highly responsive lightweight foam and a stiff plate in the midsole of long-distance road racing shoes has yielded significant energetic cost savings that have translated to notable improvements in performance. This new foam and stiff plate technology have since been implemented in long-distance track spikes, where performances have also improved. However, the impact of spikes with advanced footwear technology (AFT) on distance running biomechanics has been studied minimally to date. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare running biomechanics between two spikes which incorporate AFT (Nike ZoomX Dragonfly, Nike Air Zoom Victory) to a traditional spike (Nike Zoom Matumbo). Seventeen competitive collegiate female runners completed 60 m trials at their 5k race pace in each spike condition while outfitted with IMU sensors and plantar pressure insoles. We observed significantly lower peak ankle dorsiflexion in the Dragonfly and Victory compared to the Matumbo and lower whole foot, forefoot and rearfoot peak and average pressure in the Dragonfly compared to the Matumbo and Victory. The acute biomechanical alterations observed in this study warrant future investigation into the association between running biomechanics and racing performance in track spikes with advanced footwear technology.

Minimalist school shoes improve intrinsic foot muscle size, strength, and arch integrity among primary school students.

Minimalist walking shoes have been shown to improve foot muscle size and strength in active adults, but not in our previous study involving children, which could relate to the more structured footwear used in our study. Hence, this study examined the effects of true minimalists on intrinsic foot muscle size and strength, foot arch integrity, and physical function among primary school children. After a baseline assessment, 30 primary school students aged between 9 and 12 were given a pair of minimalist shoes (minimalist index = 92%) as their regular school shoes for two school terms, followed by a re-assessment. Seventeen of the 30 participants in the minimalist group completed the study. Compared to the control group, the minimalist group showed significantly increased cross-sectional area of abductor hallucis (p = 0.047, Cohen's d = 0.57) and flexor digitorum brevis (p = 0.037, Cohen's d = 0.80), increased strength of the hallux (p = 0.015, Cohen's d = 0.76) and lesser toes (p = 0.014, Cohen's d = 0.66), greater arch height (p = 0.020, Cohen's d = 0.52) and standing long jump distance (p = 0.001, Cohen's d = 9.79). The control group exhibited improved standing long jump performance only (p = 0.020, Cohen's d = 10.70). Minimalist shoes worn daily to school promote intrinsic foot muscle size and strength, and improve foot arch integrity among primary school students.

Identifying the Number of Steps Required for Familiarisation to Athletic Footwear in Healthy Older Adults.

INTRODUCTION: Research on athletic footwear familiarisation within an older population is sparse. This is problematic because unfamiliar footwear may act as a new perturbation and modify older adults' walking gait and stability. In addition, while athletic footwear has been suggested to enhance older adults' comfort and support during activities of daily living, the necessary period for familiarisation with athletic footwear is unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the number of steps required for older adults to be familiarised with athletic footwear of different midsole thicknesses. METHODS: Twenty-six healthy and physically active community-dwelling older adults, 21 females (71.1 ± 4.5 years; 164.5 ± 5.3 cm; 68.4 ± 11.4 kg) and five males (70.6 ± 2.3 years; 175.2 ± 7.8 cm; 72.8 ± 9.7 kg), completed a walking-based protocol. Participants walked two trials of 200 steps at their habitual speed on a 10-m track of an optical measurement system in three footwear conditions: (1) New Balance® REVlite 890v6 (thick midsole); (2) New Balance® REVlite 1400v5 (moderate midsole); and (3) New Balance® Minimus 20v7 (thin midsole). Gait speed (m.s-1) and walking time (min) were analysed for each participant over the 400 steps. Number of required familiarisation steps were established over three analysis phases, consisting of steady-state gait assessment, averaging and analysis of blocks of 40 steps, and sequentially comparing these steps with a predetermined threshold. Footwear familiarisation was assumed when the mean gait speed fell within an acceptable level (±2 SD from 320 to 360 step values) and subsequently maintained. RESULTS: Most participants were familiarised with all three footwear conditions (thick n = 18; moderate and thin n = 20) after walking 80 steps. For all participants, the moderate midsole had the shortest familiarisation period (160 steps). The highest number of familiarisation steps was found in the thick (320 steps) and thin midsoles (240 steps) for some participants. CONCLUSION: A minimum of 320 familiarisation steps is recommended to account for both individual differences and midsole thicknesses. Implementing this walking-based footwear familiarisation protocol would improve validity of future studies, ensuring they analyse footwear effects rather than familiarisation with the footwear.

Could footwear stiffness reduce the development of proinflammatory markers in long-distance runners?

PURPOSE: Strenuous running triggers the coordination of pro- and anti-inflammatory, as well as immunoregulatory cytokines, which are upregulated in response to inflammatory stimulus and thus considered a precursor to overuse injury. The aim of this study was to correlate injury risk to footwear stiffness normalized against each runner's weight, i.e. the midsole's ability to resist deformation in response to the applied force. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experienced runners participated in a 2h 15 â€‹min intensity-controlled run, averaging 85 â€‹% of their threshold heart rate. Venous blood, collected in the field prior to and immediately after the race, was subjected to multi-parameter flow cytometry, to monitor the plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα). Footwear stiffness was determined utilizing an automated drop test, recreating footfall pattern, impact speed and weight of each runner. Plasma level increase was analyzed for each cytokine, using one-way ANOVA and the data associated to footwear stiffness through the calculation of Pearson correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Only IL-6 levels exhibited a statistical significant increase pre-to post-race, corresponding to F (1,8) â€‹= â€‹24.0417 with a critical value of 4.4139. The increase in IL-6 levels was also found to produce a strong correlation to footwear stiffness, expressed in a Pearson coefficient of r (8) â€‹= â€‹0.79 â€‹at ρ â€‹= â€‹0.0063 (P â€‹< â€‹0.05). CONCLUSION: The significant increase in pro-inflammatory markers, such as IL-6 which are associated with injury, would suggest that runners using compliant footwear are at lower risk of overuse injury than the ones running on stiffer midsoles.

Respectful Children's Shoes: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Child footwear, both in pathologies and in normal situations, can affect the foot in various ways depending on its characteristics. Below, some features of child footwear are described, and how they can influence the foot, including suitable size, shape and design, flexibility, and transpirable material; inadequate footwear includes situations with flat foot, equine foot, and hammer toes. It is important to highlight that each child is unique and may have different footwear needs. In case of specific pathologies or concerns, it is recommended to consult a specialist in podology or foot medicine for personalized assessment and recommendations. METHODS: The present systematic review was conducted in accordance with the guidelines outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. RESULTS: Children's footwear must adapt to all stages of children's growth, starting from when they begin to walk, to promote the correct evolution of their musculoskeletal system. For up to six months, they do not need to wear shoes; socks and similar clothing are enough to warm your feet like a second skin. The flexibility of respectful footwear is essential between six months and three or four years. From that age onwards, the soles can be somewhat thicker, and the buttress can have a certain firmness, but the shoes should remain flexible. CONCLUSIONS: Eco-friendly footwear, which typically comes from small businesses and factories, is sometimes described as "ergonomic footwear". However, there is some reluctance towards this term. When choosing this type of footwear for children, it is important to not just look at the label; rather, one should verify that it meets all the necessary characteristics to be considered respectful.

Does an acute transition to different footwear conditions affect walking patterns in people with different experiences of minimalist footwear?

BACKGROUND: Minimalistic footwear provides adequate toe space, tripod function, improving foot function, muscle activation and stability during walking similarly to barefoot walking. Due to the increasing popularity of this specific footwear, there is a lack of research focusing on general users of minimalistic footwear. RESEARCH QUESTION: Does annual walking in minimalistic footwear affect gait biomechanics? METHODS: Cross-sectional study involving twenty participants in a minimalistic footwear group with both experience (MFE) and no experience (NMFE). Participants walked in three different conditions (barefoot, minimalistic, and neutral footwear) in the laboratory at normal human walking speed. RESULTS: A significant main effect of groups regardless of footwear conditions show significantly greater values during walking in minimalistic footwear and barefoot in the stride length (p=0.035, p=0.003, respectively), and stride width (p=0.047, p=0.028, respectively) in the NMFE group compared to MFE group. The significant differences in the main effects of footwear regardless of experience were found in stance time (p<0.001), steps per minute (p<0.001), stride length (<0.001), foot adduction in TO (p<0.001), foot eversion angle in IC and TO (p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively), foot progression angle (p<0.001), ankle dorsiflexion angle in IC and TO (p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively), in ankle eversion angle in IC and TO (p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively), knee flexion angle in IC and TO (p<0.001; p<0.001, respectively), and in knee flexion range of motion (p<0.001). SIGNIFICANCE: Based on our findings, barefoot walking should be used primarily during daily activities if the environment is conducive. Only one year of experience with minimalistic footwear seems insufficient and an intervention should be incorporated to change the gait pattern when transitioning to full minimalistic footwear walking.

Efficacy of auxetic lattice structured shoe sole in advancing footwear comfort-From the perspective of plantar pressure and contact area.

Introduction: Designing footwear for comfort is vital for preventing foot injuries and promoting foot health. This study explores the impact of auxetic structured shoe soles on plantar biomechanics and comfort, motivated by the integration of 3D printing in footwear production and the superior mechanical properties of auxetic designs. The shoe sole designs proposed in this study are based on a three-dimensional re-entrant auxetic lattice structure, orthogonally composed of re-entrant hexagonal honeycombs with internal angles less than 90 degrees. Materials fabricated using this lattice structure exhibit the characteristic of a negative Poisson's ratio, displaying lateral expansion under tension and densification under compression. Methods: The study conducted a comparative experiment among three different lattice structured (auxetic 60°, auxetic 75° and non-auxetic 90°) thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) shoe soles and conventional polyurethane (PU) shoe sole through pedobarographic measurements and comfort rating under walking and running conditions. The study obtained peak plantar pressures (PPPs) and contact area across seven plantar regions of each shoe sole and analyzed the correlation between these biomechanical parameters and subjective comfort. Results: Compared to non-auxetic shoe soles, auxetic structured shoe soles reduced PPPs across various foot regions and increased contact area. The Auxetic 60°, which had the highest comfort ratings, significantly lowered peak pressures and increased contact area compared to PU shoe sole. Correlation analysis showed that peak pressures in specific foot regions (hallux, second metatarsal head, and hindfoot when walking; second metatarsal head, third to fifth metatarsal head, midfoot, and hindfoot when running) were related to comfort. Furthermore, the contact area in all foot regions was significantly associated with comfort, regardless of the motion states. Conclusion: The pressure-relief performance and conformability of the auxetic lattice structure in the shoe sole contribute to enhancing footwear comfort. The insights provided guide designers in developing footwear focused on foot health and comfort using auxetic structures.

Recent Innovations in Footwear and the Role of Smart Footwear in Healthcare-A Survey.

Smart shoes have ushered in a new era of personalised health monitoring and assistive technologies. Smart shoes leverage technologies such as Bluetooth for data collection and wireless transmission, and incorporate features such as GPS tracking, obstacle detection, and fitness tracking. As the 2010s unfolded, the smart shoe landscape diversified and advanced rapidly, driven by sensor technology enhancements and smartphones' ubiquity. Shoes have begun incorporating accelerometers, gyroscopes, and pressure sensors, significantly improving the accuracy of data collection and enabling functionalities such as gait analysis. The healthcare sector has recognised the potential of smart shoes, leading to innovations such as shoes designed to monitor diabetic foot ulcers, track rehabilitation progress, and detect falls among older people, thus expanding their application beyond fitness into medical monitoring. This article provides an overview of the current state of smart shoe technology, highlighting the integration of advanced sensors for health monitoring, energy harvesting, assistive features for the visually impaired, and deep learning for data analysis. This study discusses the potential of smart footwear in medical applications, particularly for patients with diabetes, and the ongoing research in this field. Current footwear challenges are also discussed, including complex construction, poor fit, comfort, and high cost.

Effects of technological running shoes versus barefoot running on the intrinsic foot muscles, ankle mobility, and dynamic control: a novel cross-sectional research.

BACKGROUND: Technological running shoes have become increasingly popular, leading to improvements in performance. However, their long-term effects on foot musculature and joint mobility have not been thoroughly studied. OBJECTIVE: To compare the activation of the intrinsic foot muscles between runners wearing technological footwear and barefoot runners. Secondary objectives included assessing ankle dorsiflexion (DF) range of motion (ROM) and dynamic postural control in both groups. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 22 technological footwear runners and 22 barefoot runners. Ultrasonography was used to measure the thickness of the plantar fascia (PF) and the quadratus plantae (QP), abductor digiti minimus (ADM), abductor hallucis (AH), and flexor hallucis longus (FHL) muscles. Ankle mobility and dynamic postural control were also recorded. RESULTS: Ultrasonography measurements showed statistically significant differences for PF thickness (mean difference [MD]: -0.10 cm; 95% CI: -0.13, -0.05 cm), QP cross-sectional area (CSA) (MD: -0.45 cm2; 95% CI: -0.77, -0.12 cm2), ADM CSA (MD: -0.49 cm2; 95% CI: -0.70, -0.17 cm2), and FHL thickness (MD: 0.82 cm; 95% CI: 0.53, 1.09 cm), with all measurements being lower in the group wearing technological footwear compared to the barefoot runners. Ankle DF ROM was also significantly greater for the barefoot runners (MD: -5.1°; 95% CI: -8.6, -1.7°). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest potential implications for the foot musculature and ankle mobility in runners using technological footwear.

Textured insoles may improve some gross motor balance measures but not endurance measures in children with motor coordination issues. A randomised controlled feasibility trial.

BACKGROUND: Motor coordination concerns are estimated to affect 5%-6% of school-aged children. Motor coordination concerns have variable impact on children's lives, with gait and balance often affected. Textured insoles have demonstrated positive impact on balance and gait in adults with motor coordination disorders related to disease or the ageing process. The efficacy of textured insoles in children is unknown. Our primary aim was to identify the feasibility of conducting a randomised controlled trial involving children with motor control issues. The secondary aim was to identify the limited efficacy of textured insoles on gross motor assessment balance domains and endurance in children with movement difficulties. METHODS: An assessor-blinded, randomised feasibility study. We advertised for children between the ages of 5-12 years, with an existing diagnosis or developmental coordination disorder or gross motor skill levels assessed as 15th percentile or below on a norm-referenced, reliable and validated scale across two cities within Australia. We randomly allocated children to shoes only or shoes and textured insoles. We collected data across six feasibility domains; demand (recruitment), acceptability (via interview) implementation (adherence), practicality (via interview and adverse events), adaptation (via interview) and limited efficacy testing (6-min walk test and balance domain of Movement ABC-2 at baseline and 4 weeks). RESULTS: There were 15 children randomised into two groups (eight received shoes alone, seven received shoes and textured insoles). We experienced moderate demand, with 46 potential participants. The insoles were acceptable, however, some parents reported footwear fixture issues requiring modification. The 6-min walk test was described as problematic for children, despite all but one child completing. Social factors impacted adherence and footwear wear time in both groups. Families reported appointment locations and parking impacting practicality. Underpowered, non-significant small to moderate effect sizes were observed for different outcome measures. Improvement in balance measures favoured the shoe and insole group, while gait velocity increase favoured the shoe only group. CONCLUSION: Our research indicates that this trial design is feasible with modifications such as recruiting with a larger multi-disciplinary organisation, providing velcro shoe fixtures and using a shorter timed walk test. Furthermore, progressing to a larger well-powered randomised control trial is justified considering our preliminary, albeit underpowered, efficacy findings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial was retrospectively registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registration: ACTRN12624000160538.

Associations between static foot posture, dynamic in-shoe plantar foot forces and knee pain in people with medial knee osteoarthritis: A cross-sectional exploratory study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate relationships between static foot posture, dynamic plantar foot forces and knee pain in people with medial knee osteoarthritis (OA). DESIGN: Data from 164 participants with symptomatic, moderate to severe radiographic medial knee OA were analysed. Knee pain was self-reported using a numerical rating scale (NRS; scores 0-10; higher scores worse) and the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score pain subscale (KOOS; scores 0-100; lower scores worse). Static foot posture was assessed using clinical tests (foot posture index, foot mobility magnitude, navicular drop). Dynamic plantar foot forces (lateral, medial, whole foot, medial-lateral ratio, arch index) were measured using an in-shoe plantar pressure system while walking. Relationships between foot posture and plantar forces (independent variables) and pain (dependent variables) were evaluated using linear regression models, unadjusted and adjusted for sex, walking speed, Kellgren & Lawrence grade, shoe category, and body mass (for dynamic plantar foot forces). RESULTS: No measure of static foot posture was associated with any knee pain measure. Higher medial-lateral foot force ratio at midstance, and a higher arch index during overall stance, were weakly associated with higher knee pain on the NRS (regression coefficient = 0.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.09 to 1.28) and KOOS (coefficient=3.03, 95% CI 0.71 to 5.35) pain scales, respectively. CONCLUSION: Dynamic plantar foot forces, but not static foot posture, were associated with knee pain in people with medial knee OA. However, the amount of pain explained by increases in plantar foot force was small; thus, these associations are unlikely to be clinically meaningful.

Selective orthotic constraint of lower limb movement during walking reveals new insights into neuromuscular adaptation.

Introduction: A concern expressed by the clinical community is that the constraint of motion provided by an ankle foot orthosis (AFO) may lead the user to become dependent on its stiffness, leading to learned non-use. To examine this, we hypothesized that using an experimental AFO-footwear combination (exAFO-FC) that constrains ankle motion during walking would result in reduced soleus and tibialis anterior EMG compared to free (exAFO-FC) and control (no AFO, footwear only) conditions. Method: A total of 14 healthy subjects walked at their preferred speed (1.34 ± 0.09 m·s-1) for 15 min, in three conditions, namely, control, free, and stop. Results: During the stance phase of walking in the stop condition, ipsilateral soleus integrated EMG (iEMG) declined linearly, culminating in a 32.1% reduction compared to the control condition in the final 5 min interval of the protocol. In contrast, ipsilateral tibialis anterior iEMG declined in a variable fashion culminating in an 11.2% reduction compared to control in the final 5 min interval. During the swing phase, the tibialis anterior iEMG increased by 6.6% compared to the control condition during the final 5 min interval. The contralateral soleus and tibialis anterior exhibited increased iEMG in the stop condition. Discussion: An AFO-FC functions as a biomechanical motion control device that influences the neural control system and alters the output of muscles experiencing constraints of motion.

Footwear fit as a causal factor in diabetes-related foot ulceration: A systematic review.

AIMS: Incorrectly fitting footwear (IFF) poses a risk of trauma to at-risk feet with diabetes. The aim of this systematic review was to summarise and assess the evidence that IFF is a statistically significant cause of ulceration. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar for English-language peer-reviewed studies reporting the number or percentage of people with diabetes-related foot ulceration (DFU) attributed to wearing IFF and included a physical examination of the footwear worn. Two independent reviewers assessed the risk of bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. RESULTS: 4318 results were retrieved excluding duplicates with 45 studies shortlisted. Ten studies met the inclusion criteria with most rated as fair (n = 6) or good (n = 3). There is some evidence that DFU is significantly associated with IFF, but this is limited: only 3 of 10 included studies found a statistically significant percentage of those with DFU were wearing IFF or inappropriate footwear which included fastening, material, type or fit (15.0%-93.3%). Risk of bias in these three studies ranged from 'fair' to 'poor'. IFF definitions were often unreported or heterogeneous. Only one study reported IFF-related ulcer sites: 70% were at plantar hallux/toes and 10% at plantar metatarsal heads. CONCLUSIONS: There is some evidence that IFF is a cause of DFU, but further research is needed, which defines IFF, and methodically records footwear assessment, ulcer location and physical activity. Researchers need to uncover why IFF is worn and if this is due to economic factors, a need for footwear education or other reasons.

Mathematical model for footwear upper material consumption estimation.

Appropriate material consumption estimation since the design phase for footwear fabrication is a vital issue as material costs account for a sizeable portion of the overall production cost of a pair of shoes. This paper presents a mathematical model to predict the calculation of footwear upper material consumption to improve the utilization ratio of materials through a suitable nesting map onto leather. The proposed model concentrates on the two-dimensional geometry of footwear components and the application of rich mathematical concepts. The model reflects the outlines of individual footwear components while determining the area using definite integral calculus. Five distinct rotational kinds are applied for component arrangements that correlate to the physiognomy of leather because nesting onto the leather is intractable. The simple concept of a minimal-area polygonal enclosure is applied to maximize material utilization with minimum waste. Finally, the model was verified for four consecutive Oxford footwear sizes by comparing actual upper material consumption with predicted upper material consumption. The noble contribution of this analysis is to use ImageJ software to compute upper material consumption in real case analysis through image processing techniques and separate estimation of wastes, especially the fourth waste. The results of the comparison study show that the proposed model can reduce average material requirements by 2.06 %. This minimization of waste could be beneficial in terms of economic and environmental sustainability. Therefore, this study can be applied to estimate more accurately the amount of upper material required for footwear fabrication and support better utilization of material in the footwear industry.

Soft-Tissue Vibrations and Fatigue During Prolonged Running: Does an Individualized Midsole Hardness Play a Role?

Footwear has the potential to reduce soft-tissue vibrations (STV) but responses are highly subject-specific. Recent evidence shows that compressive garments minimizing STV have a beneficial effect on neuromuscular (NM) fatigue. The aim was to determine whether an individualized midsole hardness can minimize STV and NM fatigue during a half marathon. Twenty experienced runners were recruited for three visits: a familiarization session including the identification of midsole minimizing and maximizing STV amplitude (MIN and MAX, respectively), and two half marathon sessions at 95% of speed at the second ventilatory threshold. STV of the gastrocnemius medialis (GM) muscle, running kinetics, foot strike pattern, rating perceived exhaustion (RPE), and midsole liking were recorded every 3 km. NM fatigue was assessed on plantar flexors (PF) before (PRE) and after (POST) the half marathon. At POST, PF central and peripheral alterations and changes in contact time, step frequency, STV median frequency, and impact force frequency as well as foot strike pattern were found in both MIN and MAX. No significant differences in damping, STV main frequency, flight time, duty factor, and loading rate were observed between conditions whatever the time period. During the half marathon, STV amplitude of GM significantly increased over time for the MAX condition (+13.3%) only. Differences between MIN and MAX were identified for RPE and midsole liking. It could be hypothesized that, while significant, the effect of midsole hardness on STV is too low to substantially affect NM fatigue.

Upcycling of industrial footwear waste into nonwoven fibrous structures with thermal and acoustic insulation properties.

The footwear industry significantly impacts the environment, from raw material extraction to waste disposal. Transforming waste into new products is a viable option to mitigate the environmental consequences, reducing the reliance on virgin raw materials. This work aims to develop thermal and acoustic insulation materials using polyester waste from footwear industry. Two nonwoven and two compressed nonwoven structures, comprising 80% polyester waste and 20% commercial recycled polyester (matrix), were produced. The materials were created through needle-punching and compression molding techniques. The study included the production of sandwich and monolayer nonwoven structures, which were evaluated considering area weight, thickness, air permeability, mechanical properties, morphology using field emission scanning electron microscopy, and thermal and acoustic properties. The nonwoven samples presented high tensile strength (893 kPa and 629 kPa) and the highest strain (79.7% and 73.3%) and compressed nonwoven structures showed higher tensile strength (2700 kPa and 1291 kPa) but reduced strain (25.8% and 40.8%). Nonwoven samples showed thermal conductivity of 0.041 W/K.m and 0.037 W/K.m. Compressed nonwoven samples had higher values at 0.060 W/K.m and 0.070 W/K.m. While the sample with the highest conductivity exceeds typical insulation levels, other samples are suitable for thermal insulation. Nonwoven structures exhibited good absorption coefficients (0.640-0.644), suitable for acoustic insulation. Compressed nonwoven structures had lower values (0.291-0.536), unsuitable for this purpose. In summary, this study underscores the potential of 100% recycled polyester structures derived from footwear and textile industry waste, showcasing remarkable acoustic and thermal insulation properties ideal for the construction sector.

Footwear, Orthoses, and Insoles and Their Effects on Balance in Older Adults: A Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: Footwear, orthoses, and insoles have been shown to influence balance in older adults; however, it remains unclear which features, singular or in combination, are considered optimal. The aim of this scoping review was to identify and synthesise the current evidence regarding how footwear, orthoses, and insoles influence balance in older adults. Four electronic databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, and AMED) were searched from inception to October 2023. Key terms such as "shoe*," "orthoses," "postural balance" and "older people" were employed in the search strategy. Studies meeting the following criteria were included: (i) participants had a minimum age ≥60 years, and were free of any neurological, musculoskeletal, and cardiovascular diseases; (ii) an active intervention consisting of footwear, foot orthoses, or insoles was evaluated; and (iii) at least one objective outcome measure of balance was reported. SUMMARY: A total of 56 studies from 17 different countries were included. Three study designs were utilised (cross-sectional study, n = 44; randomised parallel group, n = 6; cohort study n = 6). The duration of studies varied considerably, with 41 studies evaluating immediate effects, 14 evaluating effects from 3 days to 12 weeks, and 1 study having a duration of 6 months. Seventeen different interventions were evaluated, including/consisting of textured insoles (n = 12), heel elevation (n = 8), non-specific standardised footwear and changes in sole thickness or hardness (n = 7 each), sole geometry or rocker soles, contoured or custom insoles and high collar height (n = 6 each), insole thickness or hardness and vibrating insoles (n = 5 each), outsole tread (n = 4), minimalist footwear and slippers (n = 3 each), balance-enhancing shoes, footwear fit, socks, and ankle-foot orthoses (n = 2 each), and eversion insoles, heel cups, and unstable footwear (n = 1 each). Twenty-three different outcomes were assessed, and postural sway was the most common (n = 20), followed by temporo-spatial gait parameters (n = 17). There was uncertainty regarding intervention effectiveness. Overall, features such as secure fixation, a textured insole, a medium-to-hard density midsole and a higher ankle collar, in isolation, were able to positively impact balance. Conversely, footwear with an elevated heel height and the use of socks and slippers impaired balance. KEY MESSAGES: There is a substantial body of literature exploring the effects of footwear, orthoses, and insoles on balance in older adults. However, considerable uncertainty exists regarding the efficacy of these interventions due to variability in methodological approaches. Further high-quality research is necessary to determine whether a singular intervention or a combination of interventions is most effective for enhancing balance in older adults.

Prototyping and Experimental Analysis of Active Offloading Footwear for Patients With Diabetes Using an Array of Magnetorheological Fluid-Based Modules.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic foot ulceration is a serious challenge worldwide which imposes an immense risk of lower extremity amputation and in many cases may lead to the death. The presented work focuses on the offloading requirements using an active approach and considers the use of magnetorheological fluid-based modules to redistribute high plantar pressures (PPs). METHODS & RESULTS: Experimentation validated a single module with a threshold peak pressure of 450 kPa, whereas an offloading test with a three-module array and complete footwear validated a maximum pressure reduction of 42.5% and 34.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, no such active and electrically controllable offloading footwear has been reported yet that has experimentally demonstrated PP reduction of more than 30% over the offloading site.