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Athletic footwear: design, performance and selection issues.
1Department of Physical Therapy, Northern Arizona University, USA.
Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport
|December 2, 2000
Summary
Understanding athletic footwear is crucial for practitioners. This guide details shoe components and features, advising clinicians to recommend based on foot type rather than specific models for optimal athlete selection.
Area of Science:
- Podiatry and Sports Medicine
- Biomechanics of Footwear
Background:
- Athletic footwear plays a significant role in injury prevention and performance.
- The rapid evolution of athletic shoe models complicates clinician recommendations.
- Understanding shoe construction is essential for informed advice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To educate practitioners on the advantages and disadvantages of athletic footwear.
- To describe the components and construction processes of athletic shoes.
- To guide clinicians in advising athletes on footwear selection based on individual needs.
Main Methods:
- Review of athletic shoe components (upper, midsole/outsole, last, lasting process).
- Analysis of the benefits and drawbacks of athletic footwear use.
- Development of a framework for advising athletes based on foot classification.
Main Results:
- Detailed description of athletic shoe parts and their functions.
- Identification of key features to consider when selecting athletic shoes.
- Emphasis on a feature-based recommendation approach over specific model endorsement.
Conclusions:
- Clinicians should prioritize educating athletes on footwear features relevant to their specific foot type or condition.
- A feature-centric approach empowers athletes to make informed choices, adapting to the dynamic footwear market.
- This strategy enhances the practitioner's ability to provide personalized and effective footwear guidance.