Peak plantar pressures in running footwear with increased longitudinal bending stiffness

Abstract

Measuring plantar pressure distributions while running can provide detailed information about the distribution of force over different regions of the foot. Some footwear properties, such as midsole cushioning, have been shown to alter peak plantar pressures in the midfoot, metatarsal and toe regions (Wiegerinck et al., 2009), which may influence the risk of running-related foot injuries (e.g., stress fractures and plantar heel pain). Along with midsole cushioning, a key component of advanced footwear technology is the increase in longitudinal bending stiffness (LBS) with an embedded carbon fibre plate (Ortega, 2021). Running in footwear with increased LBS from a carbon fibre plate has been associated with an increased risk of bone stress injuries (Tenforde, 2023), but the mechanisms behind this relationship are not fully understood. Therefore, measuring plantar pressure distributions while running in footwear with increased LBS can help us better understand the influence of carbon fibre plated shoes on performance and injury.