A Novel Method to Measure the Static Coefficient of Friction for Socks.

Mechanical testers have commonly been used to measure the frictional properties of socks. However, the friction values may be susceptible to the level of stretchiness of tested fabrics or human variability. Thus, the aim of this study was to propose a novel method that enables friction measurement of socks in a sock-wearing condition with less human variability effects.

Understanding the impact loading characteristics of a badminton lunge among badminton players.

Background: The rapid and repetitive badminton lunges would produce strenuous impact loading on the lower extremities of players and these loading are thought to be the contributing factors of chronic knee injuries. This study examined the impact loading characteristics in various groups of badminton athletes performing extreme lunges.

Methods: Fifty-two participants classified into male skilled, female skilled, male unskilled, and female unskilled groups performed badminton lunge with their maximum-effort.

Does shoe heel design influence ground reaction forces and knee moments during maximum lunges in elite and intermediate badminton players?

Background: Lunge is one frequently executed movement in badminton and involves a unique sagittal footstrike angle of more than 40 degrees at initial ground contact compared with other manoeuvres. This study examined if the shoe heel curvature design of a badminton shoe would influence shoe-ground kinematics, ground reaction forces, and knee moments during lunge.

Methods: Eleven elite and fifteen intermediate players performed five left-forward maximum lunge trials with Rounded Heel Shoe (RHS), Flattened Heel Shoe (FHS), and Standard Heel Shoes (SHS).