Gait kinetics impact shoe tread wear rate

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Materials Science
• Occupational Safety

Background:

• Footwear is crucial for slip prevention, as worn-out soles reduce friction and increase fall risk.
• Wear theory posits that walking dynamics (gait kinetics) may impact the rate of tread wear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether walking kinetics, specifically shoe-floor force interactions, influence the rate of shoe outsole wear.

Main Methods:

• Gait kinetics (peak normal force, shear force, RCOF) were measured during walking trials.
• Participants wore various shoes in the workplace for up to 24 months, with distance tracked and tread loss measured.
• Wear rate was calculated (volumetric tread loss/distance walked) and analyzed using mixed linear regression models.

Main Results:

• Wear rate showed a positive association with peak RCOF and peak shear force.
• No significant relationship was found between wear rate and peak normal forces.

Conclusions:

• Gait characteristics, particularly shear forces and RCOF, are linked to shoe sole wear.
• Individual gait kinetics may predict wear rate, potentially informing footwear design and slip prevention strategies based on fatigue failure mechanisms.