Article

Athletic children are prone to overuse injuries, especially at the heel and knee.
Since footwear is an extrinsic factor of lower limb injury risk,
the aim of this
study was to assess the influence of shoe aging on children running biomechanics.
Fourteen children active in sports participated in a laboratory biomechanical
evaluation. A new pair of shoes was provided to each participant at an inclusion
visit. Four months later, the participants performed a running task and their
kinematics and kinetics were assessed both with their used shoes and with a new
pair of shoes identical to the first. Furthermore, mechanical cushioning
properties of shoes were evaluated before and after in-vivo aging. After 4months
of use, the sole stiffness increased by 16% and the energy loss capacity
decreased by 18% (p<0.001). No ankle or knee kinematic adjustment was found at
foot strike in used shoes but changes were observed later during stance. Running
with used shoes produced a higher loading rate of the vertical ground reaction
force (+23%, p=0.016), suggesting higher compressive forces under the heel and
placing children at risk to experience impact-related injuries. Nevertheless, the
decreased peak ankle and knee power absorption in used shoes (-11%, p=0.010 and
-12%, p=0.029, respectively) suggests a lower ankle and knee joints loading
during the absorption phase that may be beneficial regarding stretch-related injuries.
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Langue : ANGLAIS