Effect of work boot shaft stiffness and sole flexibility on boot clearance and shank muscle activity when walking on simulated coal mining surfaces: implications for reducing trip risk.

Mining work boot shaft stiffness and sole flexibility variations are likely to affect how a miner moves their foot to clear the ground thus influencing their risk of tripping. Despite the potential negative consequences associated with tripping, limited research has investigated how these boot design features might contribute to a miner's trip risk. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of systematic variations to boot shaft stiffness and sole flexibility on lower limb alignment and shank muscle activity at toe off and boot clearance during initial swing when 20 males walked across two simulated coal mining surfaces.

Effect of shaft stiffness and sole flexibility on perceived comfort and the plantar pressures generated when walking on a simulated underground coal mining surface.

The structural features of work boots worn by underground coal miners affect comfort, foot motion and, in turn, loading of the plantar surface of miners' feet. Although shaft stiffness and sole flexibility appear to be boot design features that could influence perceived comfort and plantar pressures, no study has systematically altered these boot design features to truly understand how they affect these parameters. This study aimed to systematically investigate the effect of changes to shaft stiffness and sole flexibility on perceived comfort and plantar pressures when 20 males walked on a simulated gravel coal mining surface under four different work boot conditions.

Effect of work boot shaft stiffness and sole flexibility on lower limb muscle activity and ankle alignment at initial foot-ground contact when walking on simulated coal mining surfaces: Implications for reducing slip risk.

Design features of safety work boots have the potential to influence how underground coal miners' feet interact with the challenging surfaces they walk on and, in turn, their risk of slipping. Despite the importance of work boot design in reducing the risk of miners slipping, limited research has investigated how boot design features, such as shaft stiffness and sole flexibility, affect the way miners walk. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of systematic variations to boot shaft stiffness and sole flexibility on lower limb muscle activity and ankle motion in preparation for initial foot-ground contact when 20 males walked across two simulated coal mining surfaces under four mining boot conditions.

Biomechanical effects of sensorimotor orthoses in adults with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

Background: Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is an inherited neuropathy causing progressive weakness, foot deformity and difficulty walking. Clinical anecdotes suggest orthoses designed on the 'sensorimotor' paradigm are beneficial for improving gait in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

Objectives: Investigate the effect of sensorimotor orthoses on in-shoe and lower limb biomechanics in adults with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

1000 Norms Project: protocol of a cross-sectional study cataloging human variation.

Background: Clinical decision-making regarding diagnosis and management largely depends on comparison with healthy or 'normal' values. Physiotherapists and researchers therefore need access to robust patient-centred outcome measures and appropriate reference values. However there is a lack of high-quality reference data for many clinical measures.

In-shoe multi-segment foot kinematics of children during the propulsive phase of walking and running.

Certain styles of children's shoes reduce 1st metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) and midfoot motion during propulsion of walking. However, no studies have investigated if the splinting effect of shoes on children's 1st MTPJ and midfoot motion occurs during running. This study investigated the effect of sports shoes on multi-segment foot kinematics of children during propulsion of walking and running.

Impact attenuation during weight bearing activities in barefoot vs. shod conditions: a systematic review.

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.

Effect of children's shoes on gait: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The effect of footwear on the gait of children is poorly understood. This systematic review synthesises the evidence of the biomechanical effects of shoes on children during walking and running.

Methods: Study inclusion criteria were: barefoot and shod conditions; healthy children aged ≤ 16 years; sample size of n > 1.

Effect of neutral-cushioned running shoes on plantar pressure loading and comfort in athletes with cavus feet: a crossover randomized controlled trial.

Background: High injury rates observed in athletes with cavus feet are thought to be associated with elevated plantar pressure loading. Neutral-cushioned running shoes are often recommended to manage and prevent such injuries.

Purpose: To investigate in-shoe plantar pressure loading and comfort during running in 2 popular neutral-cushioned running shoes recommended for athletes with cavus feet.