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Song Y, Cen X, Sun D, Bálint K, Wang Y, Chen H, Gao S, Bíró I, Zhang M, Gu Y. Curved carbon-plated shoe may further reduce forefoot loads compared to flat plate during running. Sci Rep 2024; 14:13215. [PMID: 38851842 PMCID: PMC11162459 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64177-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Using a curved carbon-fiber plate (CFP) in running shoes may offer notable performance benefit over flat plates, yet there is a lack of research exploring the influence of CFP geometry on internal foot loading during running. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of CFP mechanical characteristics on forefoot biomechanics in terms of plantar pressure, bone stress distribution, and contact force transmission during a simulated impact peak moment in forefoot strike running. We employed a finite element model of the foot-shoe system, wherein various CFP configurations, including three stiffnesses (stiff, stiffer, and stiffest) and two shapes (flat plate (FCFP) and curved plate (CCFP)), were integrated into the shoe sole. Comparing the shoes with no CFP (NCFP) to those with CFP, we consistently observed a reduction in peak forefoot plantar pressure with increasing CFP stiffness. This decrease in pressure was even more notable in a CCFP demonstrating a further reduction in peak pressure ranging from 5.51 to 12.62%, compared to FCFP models. Both FCFP and CCFP designs had a negligible impact on reducing the maximum stress experienced by the 2nd and 3rd metatarsals. However, they greatly influenced the stress distribution in other metatarsal bones. These CFP designs seem to optimize the load transfer pathway, enabling a more uniform force transmission by mainly reducing contact force on the medial columns (the first three rays, measuring 0.333 times body weight for FCFP and 0.335 for CCFP in stiffest condition, compared to 0.373 in NCFP). We concluded that employing a curved CFP in running shoes could be more beneficial from an injury prevention perspective by inducing less peak pressure under the metatarsal heads while not worsening their stress state compared to flat plates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Song
- Research Academy of Medicine Combining Sports, Ningbo No.2 Hospital, Ningbo, China
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xuanzhen Cen
- Doctoral School on Safety and Security Sciences, Óbuda University, Budapest, Hungary
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Dong Sun
- Research Academy of Medicine Combining Sports, Ningbo No.2 Hospital, Ningbo, China
- Faculty of Sports Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Kovács Bálint
- Research Academy of Medicine Combining Sports, Ningbo No.2 Hospital, Ningbo, China
- Faculty of Sports Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- Department of Kinesiology, Hungarian University of Sports Science, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hairong Chen
- Doctoral School on Safety and Security Sciences, Óbuda University, Budapest, Hungary
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Shunxiang Gao
- Faculty of Sports Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - István Bíró
- Doctoral School on Safety and Security Sciences, Óbuda University, Budapest, Hungary
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Ming Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yaodong Gu
- Research Academy of Medicine Combining Sports, Ningbo No.2 Hospital, Ningbo, China.
- Doctoral School on Safety and Security Sciences, Óbuda University, Budapest, Hungary.
- Faculty of Sports Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.
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Song Y, Cen X, Chen H, Sun D, Munivrana G, Bálint K, Bíró I, Gu Y. The influence of running shoe with different carbon-fiber plate designs on internal foot mechanics: A pilot computational analysis. J Biomech 2023; 153:111597. [PMID: 37126883 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2023.111597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
A carbon-fiber plate (CFP) embedded into running shoes is a commonly applied method to improve running economy, but little is known in regard the effects of CFP design features on internal foot mechanics. This study aimed to explore how systematic changes in CFP geometrical variations (i.e., thickness and location) can alter plantar pressure and strain under the forefoot as well as metatarsal stress state through computational simulations. A foot-shoe finite element (FE) model was built and different CFP features including three thicknesses (1 mm, 2 mm, and 3 mm) and three placements (high-loaded (just below the insole), mid-loaded (in between the midsole), and low-loaded (just above the outsole)) were further modulated within the shoe sole. Simulations were conducted at the impact peak instant during forefoot strike running. Compared with the no-CFP shoe, peak plantar pressure and compressive strain under the forefoot consistently decreased when the CFP thickness increased, and the low-loaded conditions were found more effective (peak pressure decreased up to 31.91% and compressive strain decreased up to 18.61%). In terms of metatarsal stress, CFP designs resulted in varied effects and were dependent on their locations. Specifically, high-loaded CFP led to relatively higher peak metatarsal stress without the reduction trend as thickness increased (peak stress increased up to 12.91%), while low-loaded conditions showed a gradual reduction in peak stress, decreasing by 0.74%. Therefore, a low-loaded thicker CFP should be considered to achieve the pressure-relief effects of running shoes without the expense of increased metatarsal stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Song
- Faculty of Sports Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China; Doctoral School on Safety and Security Sciences, Óbuda University, Budapest, Hungary; Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split, Split, Croatia
| | - Xuanzhen Cen
- Faculty of Sports Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China; Doctoral School on Safety and Security Sciences, Óbuda University, Budapest, Hungary; Faculty of Engineering, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Hairong Chen
- Faculty of Sports Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Dong Sun
- Faculty of Sports Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | | | - Kovács Bálint
- Faculty of Sports Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China; Department of Kinesiology, Hungarian University of Sports Science, Budapest, Hungary
| | - István Bíró
- Doctoral School on Safety and Security Sciences, Óbuda University, Budapest, Hungary; Faculty of Engineering, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Yaodong Gu
- Faculty of Sports Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.
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Warden SJ, Sventeckis AM, Surowiec RK, Fuchs RK. Enhanced Bone Size, Microarchitecture, and Strength in Female Runners with a History of Playing Multidirectional Sports. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2022; 54:2020-2030. [PMID: 35941520 PMCID: PMC9669197 DOI: 10.1249/mss.0000000000003016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Female runners have high rates of bone stress injuries (BSIs), including stress reactions and fractures. The current study explored multidirectional sports (MDS) played when younger as a potential means of building stronger bones to reduce BSI risk in these athletes. METHODS Female collegiate-level cross-country runners were recruited into groups: 1) RUN, history of training and/or competing in cross-country, recreational running/jogging, swimming, and/or cycling only, and 2) RUN + MDS, additional history of training and/or competing in soccer or basketball. High-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography was used to assess the distal tibia, common BSI sites (diaphysis of the tibia, fibula, and second metatarsal), and high-risk BSI sites (base of the second metatarsal, navicular, and proximal diaphysis of the fifth metatarsal). Scans of the radius were used as control sites. RESULTS At the distal tibia, RUN + MDS ( n = 18) had enhanced cortical area (+17.1%) and thickness (+15.8%), and greater trabecular bone volume fraction (+14.6%) and thickness (+8.3%) compared with RUN ( n = 14; all P < 0.005). Failure load was 19.5% higher in RUN + MDS ( P < 0.001). The fibula diaphysis in RUN + MDS had an 11.6% greater total area and a 11.1% greater failure load (all P ≤ 0.03). At the second metatarsal diaphysis, total area in RUN + MDS was 10.4% larger with greater cortical area and thickness and 18.6% greater failure load (all P < 0.05). RUN + MDS had greater trabecular thickness at the base of the second metatarsal and navicular and greater cortical area and thickness at the proximal diaphysis of the fifth metatarsal (all P ≤ 0.02). No differences were observed at the tibial diaphysis or radius. CONCLUSIONS These findings support recommendations that athletes delay specialization in running and play MDS when younger to build a more robust skeleton and potentially prevent BSIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stuart J. Warden
- Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences, Indiana University, Indianapolis
- Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health, Indiana University, Indianapolis
- La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, AUSTRALIA
| | - Austin M. Sventeckis
- Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences, Indiana University, Indianapolis
| | - Rachel K. Surowiec
- Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health, Indiana University, Indianapolis
- Department of Biomedical Engineering¸ Purdue School of Engineering and Technology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis
| | - Robyn K. Fuchs
- Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences, Indiana University, Indianapolis
- Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health, Indiana University, Indianapolis
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Ellison MA, Fulford J, Javadi A, Rice HM. Do non-rearfoot runners experience greater second metatarsal stresses than rearfoot runners? J Biomech 2021; 126:110647. [PMID: 34343863 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2021.110647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Stress fracture of the second metatarsal is a common and problematic injury for runners. The choice of foot strike pattern is known to affect external kinetics and kinematics but its effect on internal loading of the metatarsals is not well understood. Models of various complexities can be used to investigate the effects of running characteristics on metatarsal stresses. This study aimed to compare second metatarsal stress between habitual rearfoot and non-rearfoot strikers during barefoot running, using a novel participant-specific finite element model, including accurate metatarsal and soft tissue geometry. Synchronised force and kinematic data were collected during barefoot overground running from 20 participants (12 rearfoot strikers). Stresses were calculated using a previously evaluated and published 3D finite element model. Non-rearfoot strikers demonstrated greater external loading and joint contact forces than rearfoot runners, but there were no differences in stresses between groups. Additionally, the study allowed for a qualitative assessment of bone geometries and stresses. No correlation was found between bone volume and stresses, however, there was found to be a large variation in metatarsal shapes, possibly accounting for the lack of difference in stresses. This emphasises the importance of bone geometry when estimating bone stress and supports the suggestion that external forces should not be assumed to be representative of internal loading.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Ellison
- Sport and Health Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK.
| | - J Fulford
- NIHR Exeter Clinical Research Facility, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
| | - A Javadi
- College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - H M Rice
- Sport and Health Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
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Impellizzeri FM, Menaspà P, Coutts AJ, Kalkhoven J, Menaspà MJ. Training Load and Its Role in Injury Prevention, Part I: Back to the Future. J Athl Train 2020; 55:885-892. [PMID: 32991701 PMCID: PMC7534945 DOI: 10.4085/1062-6050-500-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this 2-part commentary series is† to explain why we believe our ability to control injury risk by manipulating training load (TL) in its current state is an illusion and why the foundations of this illusion are weak and unreliable. In part 1, we introduce the training process framework and contextualize the role of TL monitoring in the injury-prevention paradigm. In part 2, we describe the conceptual and methodologic pitfalls of previous authors who associated TL and injury in ways that limited their suitability for the derivation of practical recommendations. The first important step in the training process is developing the training program: the practitioner develops a strategy based on available evidence, professional knowledge, and experience. For decades, exercise strategies have been based on the fundamental training principles of overload and progression. Training-load monitoring allows the practitioner to determine whether athletes have completed training as planned and how they have coped with the physical stress. Training load and its associated metrics cannot provide a quantitative indication of whether particular load progressions will increase or decrease the injury risk, given the nature of previous studies (descriptive and at best predictive) and their methodologic weaknesses. The overreliance on TL has moved the attention away from the multifactorial nature of injury and the roles of other important contextual factors. We argue that no evidence supports the quantitative use of TL data to manipulate future training with the purpose of preventing injury. Therefore, determining "how much is too much" and how to properly manipulate and progress TL are currently subjective decisions based on generic training principles and our experience of adjusting training according to an individual athlete's response. Our message to practitioners is to stop seeking overly simplistic solutions to complex problems and instead embrace the risks and uncertainty inherent in the training process and injury prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franco M. Impellizzeri
- Faculty of Health, Human Performance Research Centre and School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, University of Technology Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Aaron J. Coutts
- Centre for Exercise and Sports Science Research, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Judd Kalkhoven
- Faculty of Health, Human Performance Research Centre and School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, University of Technology Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Miranda J. Menaspà
- Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
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Ellison MA, Akrami M, Fulford J, Javadi AA, Rice HM. Three dimensional finite element modelling of metatarsal stresses during running. J Med Eng Technol 2020; 44:368-377. [DOI: 10.1080/03091902.2020.1799092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- M. A Ellison
- Sport and Health Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - M. Akrami
- College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - J. Fulford
- NIHR Exeter Clinical Research Facility, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
| | - A. A Javadi
- College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - H. M Rice
- Sport and Health Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
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