Article

Although it could be perceived that there is extensive research on the impact
attenuation characteristics of shoes, the approach and findings of researchers in
this area are varied. This review aimed to clarify the effect of shoes on impact
attenuation to the foot and lower leg and was limited to those studies that
compared the shoe condition(s) with barefoot. A systematic search of the
literature yielded 26 studies that investigated vertical ground reaction force,
axial tibial acceleration, loading rate and local plantar pressures.
Meta-analyses of the effect of shoes on each variable during walking and running
were performed using the inverse variance technique. Variables were collected at
their peak or at the impact transient, but when grouped together as previous
comparisons have done, shoes reduced local plantar pressure and tibial
acceleration, but did not affect vertical force or loading rate for walking.
During running, shoes reduced tibial acceleration but did not affect loading rate
or vertical force. Further meta-analyses were performed, isolating shoe type and
when the measurements were collected. Athletic shoes reduced peak vertical force
during walking, but increased vertical force at the impact transient and no
change occurred for the other variables. During running, athletic shoes reduced
loading rate but did not affect vertical force. The range of variables examined
and variety of measurements used appears to be a reason for the discrepancies
across the literature. The impact attenuating effect of shoes has potentially
both adverse and beneficial effects depending on the variable and activity under
investigation.
CI - Copyright (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS