Prolonged Running Using Bionic Footwear Influences Lower Limb Biomechanics

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Sports Science
• Running Technology

Background:

• Limited research exists on how bionic shoes affect prolonged running biomechanics compared to neutral shoes.
• Understanding footwear technology's impact on running is crucial for injury prevention and performance enhancement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate biomechanical changes during a 5 km run with neutral and bionic footwear.
• To determine how footwear technology influences prolonged running biomechanics.

Main Methods:

• Sixteen male recreational heel strikers completed two 5 km running sessions (neutral and bionic shoes).
• A two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) analyzed joint biomechanics (ankle, knee, hip) across shoe types and over time.
• Kinetic and kinematic data were collected to assess changes in range of motion and joint moments.

Main Results:

• Bionic shoes significantly decreased range of motion in the ankle, knee, and hip joints compared to neutral shoes.
• Significant changes in joint moments were observed with bionic shoes, except for the hip's frontal plane.
• Prolonged running (5 km) led to decreased knee and hip sagittal plane range of motion and altered joint angles at the ankle, knee, and hip.

Conclusions:

• Bionic shoes may improve muscle control, postural stability, and proprioception.
• Footwear personalization, potentially through bionic designs, could reduce injury risk and enhance running performance.