The effects of shoes with a triple density midsole on lower limb kinematics and kinetics in male recreational runners

Abstract

Cushioned or stability running shoes is currently a highly debated topic among runners and researchers. Several footwear companies have developed running shoes to simulate different hardness but few studies have compared a triple density running shoe to deduce the injuries of running. The primary goal of this study was to compare acute changes in three-dimensional (3D) ground reaction forces (GRFs) and lower limb kinematics of habitually shod rear-foot strike (RFS) runners between different hardness and density running shoes. Lower limb joint biomechanical variables of fifteen recreational runners were analyzed using a 3D motion capture system and a force platform. The loading rate at the first impact peak showed no difference between the two shoe conditions. The first impact peak was significantly larger in the triple density shoe condition than in the single density shoe. Combining the inversion and eversion of the ankle during the pushing-off phase, a single midsole showed a bigger eversion angle than a density midsole. The innovative running shoes enhanced the rear-foot stability of runners compared to the control running shoe during the loading (eversion) phase of running.