Development of a Novel Modular Footwear Setup for Testing the Isolated Biomechanical Effects of Footwear Features

In footwear science, the effect of specific design features on biomechanical parameters during common motor tasks is often confounded by simultaneous changes in other shoe conditions. This study proposes and assesses the repeatability of a new tool, namely the Modular Footwear Setup (MFS), to assess the effects of midsole modifications on lower-limb joint kinematics and in-shoe pressure measurements.

The MFS uses a micro-hook-and-loop fastening system and a custom alignment device to enable fast and reliable midsole attachment/detachment to/from the upper. Repeatability of joint kinematics and in-shoe pressure parameters was tested in 10 healthy participants (5M, 5F; age = 33.2 ± 9.2 yrs; BMI = 21.5 ± 2.8 kg*m^-2) across three walking sessions. The effect of the MFS fixation method was assessed by comparing relevant biomechanical outcomes to those of a control shoe featuring the same upper and midsole. Comfort-related outcomes were reported using a visual analog scale.

Statistical Parametric Mapping analysis did not identify significant differences in joint kinematics between conditions. No significant differences were observed in pressure parameters at any foot region between MFS and control, except for the peak pressure at the rearfoot. The MFS demonstrated good-to-excellent inter-session repeatability (ICC 0.84-0.97) for mean and peak pressure. Participants reported similar levels of comfort and stability in both shoes.

The findings of this study suggest that the MFS has the potential to be a reliable tool for evaluating the effects of midsole features on relevant biomechanical parameters. This modular approach may improve data-driven footwear design by improving the consistency of biomechanical measurements.