• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.89-114
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to analyze impact absorption function of midsole in cushioned marathon shoes. The foot is made up of a complex interaction of bones, ligaments, and muscles. These structures help the foot alternate between being a mobile, flexible adaptor and a stable rigid lever. The foot is broken down into two functional parts, the forefoot and the rearfoot. Cushioned marathon shoes for high arches have generous cushioning for efficient and high-mileage runners. Cushioned marathon shoes are made for feet that have high arches or no excessive motion and don't roll inward or roll outward. This condition is known as underpronation. Especially, Cushioned marathon shoes are designed to reduce shock and generally have the softest (or most cushioned) midsoles and the least medial support. They are usually built on a semicurved or curved last to encourage foot motion, which is helpful for underpronators (who have rigid, immobile feet). Cushioning marathon shoes recommended for the high-arched runner, whose foot may roll outward (supinate) rather than the natural slight inward roll, or whose feet may be relatively rigid. Cushioning shoes emphasize flexibility and usually are built on a curved or semicurved last to encourage a normal motion of the foot. Cushioning shoes usually offer no medial (inner foot) support. Cushioned marathon shoes have the single-density midsole, which is stable and relatively firm for a cushioned shoe, stays the same. But the forefoot is more rounded, and the rearfoot now includes a new and supportive rearfoot cradle. A foam midsole, perhaps with layers of different densities, to provide cushioning and shock absorption. EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) and PU (polyurethane), the materials from which these foams usually are made. EVA is slightly softer than PU. EVA and PU may be layered together in a shoe, or a shoe may have more than one density of EVA.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.69-81
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• 2005

In this study using two-dimensional system of the analysis of image, when normal males in their twenties who have normal foot and step with heel first are walking and running, they who are wearing running shoes or barefoot are testing and comparing the exchange factors of heel control. There are following results of this test by verifying them with T-Test. 1) When they are running, there are two big different gap which is $6.05^{\circ}$ between barefoot and wearing the running shoes. The former is $174.79^{\circ}{\pm}6.31$ and the latter is $180.84^{\circ}{\pm}4.69$. But it is not statistically significant. The angle of first step with heel is $100.42^{\circ}{\pm}3.95$ with barefoot and $93.97^{\circ}{\pm}094$ with wearing the running shoes. In this case, it is statistically significant(p<.01) 2) When they are running, the angle of the Achilles' tendon has different gap which is $5.24^{\circ}$ between barefoot and wearing the running shoes. The former is $179.70^{\circ}{\pm}4.23$ and the latter is $184.94^{\circ}{\pm}4.09$. It is not statistically significant. The angle of minimal step with heel is $96.30^{\circ}{\pm}3.07$ with barefoot and $90.84^{\circ}{\pm}0.44$ with wearing the running shoes. In this case, it is statistically significant(p<.01). 3) In the angle of the Achilles' tendon and the angle of first step with heel, when they are walking, the angle of the Achilles' tendon has different gap which is $1.81^{\circ}$ between barefoot and wearing the running shoes. The former is $6.39^{\circ}{\pm}0.83$ and the latter is $8.20^{\circ}{\pm}1.85$. It is not statistically significant. The angle of first step with heel is $2.32^{\circ}{\pm}0.51$ with barefoot and $3.22^{\circ}{\pm}1.44$ with wearing the running shoes. It is not statistically significant. 4) In the angle of the take-off of Achilles' tendon, when they are walking, the angle of the take-off of Achilles' tendon has different gap which is $3.88^{\circ}$ between barefoot and wearing the running shoes. The former is $177.62^{\circ}{\pm}8.78$ and the latter is $173.74^{\circ}{\pm}16.31$. It is statistically significant(p<.05). Therefore, they are running, the angle of the take-off of Achilles' tendon is $178.37^{\circ}{\pm}19.28$ with barefoot and $171.26^{\circ}{\pm}12.18$ with wearing the running shoes. It is statistically significant(p<.05).