THE BIOMECHANICAL Kelsey Zane 8/19/15

APPROACH TO FOOTWEAR
 OBJECTIVES
1. Understand why running shoe knowledge is
relevant.
2. Increase awareness of shoe terminology.
3. Awareness of types of shoes on the market: what
you’ll see in the clinic.
4. Have ideas of what shoe’s are appropriate for:
the Recreational Runner, Gym Rat (Crossfit,
circuit training), Walker, Minimalist
5. Learn something new.
SO WHAT ABOUT SHOES?
We are movement experts which means that we should be concerned
about something a patient wears everyday….
 Whether it’s helping or hurting them we should be aware of what’s out there.
Research shows that it’s not only the arch height that is necessary in prescribing
the correct kind of footwear.1
 The incidence of LE injury in traditional running shoes is as high as 79.3 %2
HOW DO YOU BEGIN TO CHOOSE?
Per “American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine” the
correct/most beneficial approach to choosing footwear is based off
gait patterns:3
According to the biomechanics research, humans do not respond in
a systematic way to footwear features and since gait patterns are
highly unique, it is not always possible to predict how someone will
interact with a given shoe. So instead of recommending shoes, the
AAPSM advises that individuals become familiar with the structural
features that work well for them and then seek out those features
when replacing shoes
Don’t we analyze gait?
SHOE ANATOMY:
Outsole: blown or carbon rubber

Upper: cloth of various materials,

including plastic and cotton, that are
stitched together then glued to the
midsole of the shoe. Midsole: where it
becomes highly variable among
companies and can be complicated. Above: Brooks
cushion system
and marketing
Cushion: closed cell foam “Ethyl vinyl
Below:
acetate (EVA)” provides cushioning and Lunarlon ®
is usually a white or lighter color. Some Nike’s
use polyurethane. trademark
cushion/suppo
 CONCERNS AS A PT: MIDSOLE
STABILITY
Shank: designed to reduce torsion and flexion of the shoe. Benefits: assists the
shoe in bending at the toes instead of the arch (required at terminal stance and heel
off in order to transfer weight to ball of foot for toe off)
Disadvantage: add’s weight
Medial Post: carbon fiber, dual density EVA, thermoplastic urethane (TPU), wave
plate® (plastic material used by Mizuno). Varies as far as composition and amount
used in midsole
Benefits: controlling excessive pronation at stance phase of gait cycle, highly
variable among companies
Disadvantages: adds weight, reduces work of intrinsic foot muscles and dynamic
foot control through gait cycle

Above: Mizuno Wave

THE “LAST”
Curved Semi curved straight
Type/Shape Light & less Hybrid Heavier & more
supportive 10 degrees of stable
25 degrees forefoot forefoot ADD 0 degrees of
ADD forefoot ADD
Activity Racing flats, Stability category, Motion control,
competition shoes, recreational walking specific
light/neutral shoes runners, aerobic shoes
Construction type What
shoesit looks like
Board Piece of cardboard or plastic underneath
the insole
Slip No board; wrap fabric upper into midsole
Combination Board in the rearfoot and slip in the
forefoot; allow for flexibility in the
forefoot without sacrificing stability
Strobel Most common today; thin sheet of EVA is
glued to midsole and then the upper is
stitched to the midsole.
TERMINOLOGY CONTINUED
Toe box: area in the front of the shoe that
starts at approximately the metatarsals and
extends forward.
 Heel counter: plastic or leather piece that
reinforces the heel cup/area of the shoe
and provides minimal support.
Heel drop/Heel-To-Toe Offset: difference
between heel height and forefoot height
Zero drop: when foot is in shoe there is no
difference between the heel of the foot and
the ball of the foot
 ALL THINGS CONSIDERED: HOW DO
THEY WORK TOGETHER?
Overall: the offset is a min of 12 mm and can variable between brand and model
- Neutral shoe: primary goal is to cushion and absorb shock, allow the foot and
LE to flow through it’s gait cycle without correction.
 Properties: curved last, no medial post, lightweight

- Support shoe: primary goal is to provide medial support to reduce slight to

moderate over pronation at the ankle during the foot flat to mid stance phase of
the gait cycle, also provide shock absorption
 Properties: curved or straight last, medial post, shank of some sort, high variability in this
category, medial STJ control

-Motion control shoe: primary goal is to limit moderate to severe over pronation
throughout single limb support phase of gait cycle
 Properties: straight last, larger medial post with incorporated plastic shank, heavier weight,
medial/lateral STJ control
POPULAR SHOES/BRANDS
-Top 5 Best Sellers According to…
-Personal Experience:
 Brooks: Defyance/Glycerin, Adrenaline & Beast/Ariel
 Asics: Nimbus/Cumulus, 2100 Series & Kayano
 Mizuno: Rider, Inspire & Alchemy
 Adidas: Supernova
 Nike: Pegasus, Free Run, Structure
 Saucony: Kinvara, Guide
RECENT RESEARCH FINDINGS:
Shu et al (2015): Found morphological differences in foot shape
amongst groups that wore shoes and those that didn’t. Supported
other research associated with the long term effects of ill fitting
shoes.4
Fredericks et al (2014): Footwear influences foot strike pattern.5
Goss et al (2015): Runners cannot properly assess their footstrike
pattern (only 68.3% properly).6
Jones et al Lateral wedge insoles (supported and lateral) helped to
reduce the medial knee pressure in stance phase of gait cycle.7
 Two types of lateral wedge insoles: one with only lateral support and the other with
medial and lateral support
 Both had 5 degree’s of support
 COMMON GAIT CYCLE DEVIATIONS:
*Disclaimer about pronation: some amount is necessary.
 Joint motions: combination of DF TC, Eversion & ABD STJ
-over pronation potential causes:
 Ligamentous laxity on medial side of foot
 Midfoot joint capsule laxity in response to decreased
capsular motion at hindfoot (“stuck hindfoot”)
 Decreased dynamic control at muscles that cross the
ankle
 Peroneal tightness

Other: reduced foot mobility due to immobilization,

plantar fascia inflammation, rigid foot (supinator), knee or
hip OA that causes variable deviations
 CLINICAL SITUATIONS:
-Summer footwear advice: wearing stable shoes if
appropriate for your foot type is important regardless of
whether it’s freezing or 100 degrees outside.
 Brands to trust: Rainbows, Montrail Molokai/Molokini, Teva, Chaco,
Superfeet

- Weekend warrior who has plantar fasciitis: typically

increase support in their shoe via insole or stability level
of shoe in conjunction with PT
- Gym Rat (Crossfit, circuit training) with ankle
tendinopathy who feels like this is the easiest way to stay
fit: typically minimalist shoe; lower profile decreases
potential for turning ankle during workout, adding light
Superfeet insole
- Daily Walker recently diagnosed with knee OA: typically a
running shoe is warranted with neutral cushioning and
roomy toe box to provide comfort. Specific “walking”
shoes are made of leather, heavy and limited in support
options.
 RESOURCES FOR THE CLINIC
-Online:
-Bartold Biomechanics (requires
fee)
-Harvard Univ. Skeletal Biology Lab
-Superfeet insoles
-Stores:
-Snail’s Pace in Huntington Beach
 REFERENCES
1. Knapik et al. 2014. Injury reduction effectiveness of prescribing shoes on the basis of
foot arch height: summary of military investigations. Journ Ortho Sports Ther.
2. Van Gent et al. 2007. Incidence and determinants of lower extremity running injuries
in long distance runners: a systematic review. Brit Journ of Sports Med.
3. American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine. “Footwear: Running Shoe Anatomy”.
Accessed August 15th, 2015. http://www.aapsm.org/runshoe-running-anatomy.html.
4. Shu et al. 2015. Foot morphological differences between shod and unshod runners.
PLoS One.
5. Fredericks et al. 2014. Lower extremity biomechanical relationships with different
speeds in traditional, minimalist, and barefoot footwear. Journ Sports Sci and
Medicine.
6. Goss et al. 2015. Lower extremity biomechanics and self reported foot-strike patterns
among runners in traditional and minimalist shoes. Jour of Athl Train.
7. Jones et al. 2015. The effects of different types of insoles or shoe modifications on
medial loading of the knee in persons with medial knee osteoarthritis: a randomized