Running shoe stiffness and running economy

NewsBot · Mar 18, 2006

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Shoe Midsole Longitudinal Bending Stiffness and Running Economy, Joint Energy, and EMG.
Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2006 Mar;38(3):562-9.
Roy JP, Stefanyshyn DJ.

PURPOSE:: It has been shown that mechanical energy is dissipated at the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint during running and jumping. Furthermore, increasing the longitudinal bending stiffness of the midsole significantly reduced the energy dissipated at the MTP joint and increased jump performance. It was hypothesized that increasing midsole longitudinal bending stiffness would also lead to improvements in running economy. This study investigated the influence of midsole longitudinal bending stiffness on running economy (performance variable) and evaluated the local effects on joint energetics and muscular activity.

METHODS:: Carbon fiber plates were inserted into running shoe midsoles and running economy, joint energy, and electromyographic (EMG) data were collected on 13 subjects.

RESULTS:: Approximately a 1% metabolic energy savings was observed when subjects ran in a stiff midsole relative to the control midsole. Subjects with a greater body mass had a greater decrease in oxygen consumption rates in the stiff midsole relative to the control midsole condition. The stiffer midsoles showed no significant differences in energy absorption at the MTP joint compared with the control shoe. Finally, no significant changes were observed in muscular activation.

CONCLUSION:: Increasing midsole longitudinal bending stiffness led to improvements in running economy, yet the underlying mechanisms that can be attributed to this improvement are still not fully understood.
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Admin2 · Mar 18, 2006

See also:
1st MPJ range and 100m sprint times

NewsBot · Jan 20, 2017

The bending stiffness of shoes is beneficial to running energetics if it does not disturb the natural MTP joint flexion
Keonyoung Oh, Sukyung Park,
Journal of Biomechanics; 18 January 2017

A local minimum for running energetics has been reported for a specific bending stiffness, implying that shoe stiffness assists in running propulsion. However, the determinant of the metabolic optimum remains unknown. Highly stiff shoes significantly increase the moment arm of the ground reaction force (GRF) and reduce the leverage effect of joint torque at ground push-off. Inspired by previous findings, we hypothesized that the restriction of the natural metatarsophalangeal (MTP) flexion caused by stiffened shoes and the corresponding joint torque changes may reduce the benefit of shoe bending stiffness to running energetics. We proposed the critical stiffness, kcr, which is defined as the ratio of the MTP joint (MTPJ) torque to the maximal MTPJ flexion angle, as a possible threshold of the elastic benefit of shoe stiffness. 19 subjects participated in a running test while wearing insoles with five different bending stiffness levels. Joint angles, GRFs, and metabolic costs were measured and analyzed as functions of the shoe stiffness. No significant changes were found in the take-off velocity of the center of mass (CoM), but the horizontal ground push-offs were significantly reduced at different shoe stiffness levels, indicating that complementary changes in the lower-limb joint torques were introduced to maintain steady running. Slight increases in the ankle, knee, and hip joint angular impulses were observed at stiffness levels exceeding the critical stiffness, whereas the angular impulse at the MTPJ was significantly reduced. These results indicate that the shoe bending stiffness is beneficial to running energetics if it does not disturb the natural MTPJ flexion.
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NewsBot · Dec 7, 2019

Optimal footwear longitudinal bending stiffness to improve running economy is speed dependent
Evan Day & Michael Hahn
Footwear Science: 06 Dec 2019

The primary footwear components of interest to improve performance are midsole material, weight, and longitudinal bending stiffness. Little is known about the effects of varied longitudinal bending stiffness across a range of running speeds. The purpose of this study was to identify changes in spatiotemporal variables, horizontal ground reaction forces, subjective comfort, and metabolic cost at different running speeds in response to varied longitudinal bending stiffness. Ten highly trained males ran at 14, 17 and 20 km/h in shoes with varying longitudinal bending stiffness (normal 5.9, stiff 10.5 and very stiff 17.0 N-m/rad). Ground reaction forces, metabolics and subjective comfort assessments were collected. There were significant changes (p < .05) in contact time, stride frequency, and stride length between shoe conditions at all three speeds. Peak propulsive force decreased with increased bending stiffness at all three speeds, but there was no change in braking or propulsive impulse. The patterns of changes in stride length and stride frequency were different between speeds. At 14 km/h, most participants elicited a minimum metabolic rate in the normal shoe. However, at 17 km/h an increased number of participants were more economical in the stiff shoe, despite it weighing an extra 50 g compared to the normal shoe. Running speed had an influence on subjective comfort, with participants tending to prefer the normal shoe at 14 km/h and the stiff shoe at 17 km/h. These results suggest that an optimal bending stiffness to reduce metabolic cost and improve comfort may run speed dependent.
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NewsBot · Feb 10, 2020

The Effects of Increased Midsole Bending Stiffness of Sport Shoes on Muscle-Tendon Unit Shortening and Shortening Velocity: a Randomised Crossover Trial in Recreational Male Runners.
Cigoja S et al
Sports Med Open. 2020 Feb 7;6(1):9

BACKGROUND:
Individual compliances of the foot-shoe interface have been suggested to store and release elastic strain energy via ligamentous and tendinous structures or by increased midsole bending stiffness (MBS), compression stiffness, and resilience of running shoes. It is unknown, however, how these compliances interact with each other when the MBS of a running shoe is increased. The purpose of this study was to investigate how structures of the foot-shoe interface are influenced during running by changes to the MBS of sport shoes.

METHODS:
A randomised crossover trial was performed, where 13 male, recreational runners ran on an instrumented treadmill at 3.5 m·s-1 while motion capture was used to estimate foot arch, plantar muscle-tendon unit (pMTU), and shank muscle-tendon unit (sMTU) behaviour in two conditions: (1) control shoe and (2) the same shoe with carbon fibre plates inserted to increase the MBS.

RESULTS:
Running in a shoe with increased MBS resulted in less deformation of the arch (mean ± SD; stiff, 7.26 ± 1.78°; control, 8.84 ± 2.87°; p ≤ 0.05), reduced pMTU shortening (stiff, 4.39 ± 1.59 mm; control, 6.46 ± 1.42 mm; p ≤ 0.01), and lower shortening velocities of the pMTU (stiff, - 0.21 ± 0.03 m·s-1; control, - 0.30 ± 0.05 m·s-1; p ≤ 0.01) and sMTU (stiff, - 0.35 ± 0.08 m·s-1; control, - 0.45 ± 0.11 m·s-1; p ≤ 0.001) compared to a control condition. The positive and net work performed at the arch and pMTU, and the net work at the sMTU were significantly lower in the stiff compared to the control condition.

CONCLUSION:
The findings of this study showed that if a compliance of the foot-shoe interface is altered during running (e.g. by increasing the MBS of a shoe), the mechanics of other structures change as well. This could potentially affect long-distance running performance.
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NewsBot · Jan 30, 2021

The effect of shoe insole stiffness on electromyography activity pattern of
selected lower extremity muscles during running on treadmill
AmirReza Sedighi et al
Source

The purpose of this study was to determine the immediate effect of three types of shoe insoles, on
electromyography activity of selected lower extremity muscles during running on treadmill. The
electromyography activity of the rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, biceps femoris, tibialis
anterior and gastrocnemius lateralis muscles of 14 male athletes were recorded in non-insole, wearing soft,
semi-rigid and rigid insoles conditions during running on treadmill. Electromyography activity of the rectus
femoris muscle in the loading phase was lower in soft insole condition than other conditions. In the preswing/early swing phase, there was difference of the rectus femoris muscle activity in the soft/non-insole
and soft/semi-rigid conditions. In this phase, the biceps femoris muscle had different activity in the semistiff/non-insole and semi-rigid/rigid conditions. In the mid-swing phase, there was a difference in the activity
of the rectus femoris and the tibialis anterior muscles in the non-insole/semi-rigid condition, and the
gastrocnemius lateralis muscle in the non-insole condition with other conditions. There was difference also
for biceps femoris muscle activity in the semi-rigid/non-insole condition in the pre-activation phase. The
vastus lateralis and gastrocnemius lateralis muscles activity in the soft insole condition was lower than that
of the semi-rigid condition. It seems that the intensity and contraction pattern of the muscles change while
using different shoe insoles with different variety of stiffness during running. It could be useful in choosing a
shoe insole with a suitable stiffness material level for clinical and training purposes.
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NewsBot · Jan 30, 2021

A method to quantify stiffness across the entire surface of a shoe‘s midsole
Patrick Mai ,Leon Robertz,Matthias Thelen,Gillian Weir,Matthieu B. Trudeau,Joseph Hamill
Footwear Science: 29 Jan 2021

Quantifying the midsole material characteristics of athletic footwear is a standard task in footwear research and development. Current material testing protocols primarily focus on the determination of cushioning properties of the heel region or the quantification of the midsole properties as one assembly. However, midsoles possess different spatial material properties that have not been quantified from previous methodologies. Therefore, new material testing methods are required to quantify the local material response of athletic footwear. We developed a cyclical force-controlled material testing protocol for the determination of non-homogeneously distributed material stiffness with a high spatial resolution. In five prototype shoes varying in their stiffness distribution, we found that the material properties can be reliably measured across the midsole. Furthermore, we observed a characteristic non-linear material response regardless of the midsole location. We found that the material stiffness increased with an increase of the applied force and that this effect is further intensified by higher testing cycles. Additionally, the obtained midsole stiffness depends on the geometry of the midsole. We explored different approaches to reduce the measurement time of the testing protocol and found that the number of measurements can be reduced by 70% using 2 D-interpolation procedures. Determining the spatial material properties of midsoles needs to be considered to understand foot-shoe interactions. Furthermore, this measurement protocol can be used for quality control within the footwear and can be adapted for considering the effects of different running styles or speeds on ground force application characteristics.
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NewsBot · Apr 18, 2021

Effect of outdoor footwear bending stiffness on metatarsophalangeal joint kinematics, kinetics, and energy balance during level and uphill walking
Giuseppe Zullo, Giuseppe Marcolin, Paolo Mistretta, ...
April 12, 2021

In outdoor footwear, sole properties must guarantee grip with the ground and support the forefoot without altering the kinematics of the metatarsophalangeal joints (MPJ). The present study aimed to implement an objective measure of shoe bending stiffness and investigate the effect of shoes with different bending stiffness on MPJ kinematics, kinetics, and energy balance during walking. The bending stiffness of four shoes was calculated using a customized flexometer. Then, the influence of each footwear on MPJ biomechanics during level and uphill walking was investigated with a motion capture system and a force plate on 10 healthy subjects. Results showed that MPJ peak dorsiflexion angle, stiffness, and energy balance were affected both by shoe bending stiffness (p<0.001) and walking slope (p<0.001). The findings of the study, which quantify the influence of shoe stiffness on MPJ biomechanics, will be helpful in the design of outdoor footwear.
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NewsBot · Dec 11, 2021

Influence of midsole bending stiffness on impact loading of trail running shoes

NewsBot · Jan 30, 2022

Influence of metatarsophalangeal joint stiffness on take-off performances and lower-limb biomechanics in jump manoeuvres
Sheng-Wei Jia,Wing-Kai Lam,Zhiguan Huang Icon,Julien S. Baker Icon,Ukadike C. Ugbolue &Yaodong Gu
Journal of Sports Sciences 22 Nov 2021

Forefoot and toes are prominent regions for locomotion and individual metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) stiffness may be linked to jump take-off mechanics and performances. However, little is known about the relationships between MTPJ stiffness and take-off related variables. This study examined the relationship between individual MTPJ stiffness and biomechanical variables under various vertical countermovement jumps (CMJ) conditions. We measured MTPJ stiffness on 21 male university basketball players and then asked them to perform jumps under single, consecutive and running CMJ conditions. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was employed to examine the relationships between MTP passive stiffness and each jumping performance, ground reaction force (GRF) and joint kinematic and kinetic variables. The results indicated that MTPJ stiffness significantly correlated with maximum jump height (r = 0.49, moderate), peak take-off velocity (r = 0.47, moderate), peak take-off ankle plantarflexion moment (r = 0.68, strong), peak dorsiflexion moment (r = 0.60, strong) and peak take-off ankle power (r = 0.44, moderate) in consecutive CMJ. Only a moderate correlation between MTPJ stiffness and peak MTPJ extension take-off velocity (r = −0.46, moderate) was determined in a single CMJ. There were no significant correlations found in running CMJ conditions. These findings imply that higher MTPJ stiffness of participants was related to improved jump performances in consecutive jumps.
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NewsBot · Jun 26, 2022

A systematic review of the effect of running shoes on running economy, performance and biomechanics: analysis by brand and model
Santiago A Ruiz-Alias et al
Sports Biomech. 2022 Jun 24;1-22

This systematic review aims to synthesise the effects of current shoe models in each shoe category and their specific features on running economy, performance and biomechanics. Electronic databases such as Web of Science, SPORTDiscuss, PubMed and Scopus were used to identify studies from 2015 to date. Due to the existing lack of consensus to define running shoes, only studies that specified the shoe brand and models used to assess their effect over runners with a certain level of fitness and training routine were included. Quality assessment of cross-sectional and intervention studies was conducted by three independent raters using a modified version of the Quality Index and the PEDro scale, respectively. A total of 36 articles were finally included, involving the analysis of 61 different shoe models over 10 different topics (i.e., running economy, running performance, spatiotemporal parameters, ground reaction forces, joint stiffness, achilles tendon, plantar pressure, tibiofemoral load, foot strike pattern and joint coordination). With this review, runners and practitioners in the field that are concerned about selecting a suitable shoe for performance, training, or injury prevention functionality have clear information about the effects of the current shoe models and their specific features.
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NewsBot · Oct 18, 2022

Individual physiological responses to changes in shoe bending stiffness: a cluster analysis study on 96 runners
Mickael Chollet, Samuel Michelet, Nicolas Horvais, Sebastien Pavailler & Marlene Giandolini
European Journal of Applied Physiology (2022)

Background
Shoe longitudinal bending stiffness is known to influence running economy (RE). Recent studies showed divergent results ranging from 3% deterioration to 3% improvement in RE when bending stiffness increases. The variability of these results highlights inter-individual differences. Thus, our purpose was to study the runner-specific metabolic responses to changes in shoe bending stiffness.

Methods
After assessing their maximal oxygen consumption (V˙O2 max) and aerobic speed (MAS) during a first visit, 96 heterogeneous runners performed two treadmill 5 min runs at 75% V˙O2 max with two different prototypes of shoes on a second day. Prototypes differed only by their forefoot bending stiffness (17 N/mm vs. 10.4 N/mm). RE and stride kinematics were recorded during each trial. A clustering analysis was computed by comparing the measured RE and the technical measurement error of our gas exchange analyzer to identify functional groups of runners, i.e., responding similarly to footwear interventions. ANOVAs were then computed on biomechanical and morphological variables to compare the functional groups.

Results
Considering the whole sample (n = 96), there was no significant difference in RE between the two conditions. Cluster 1 (n = 29) improves RE in the stiffest condition (2.7 ± 2.1%). Cluster 2 (n = 26) impairs RE in the stiffest condition (2.7 ± 1.3%). Cluster 3 (n = 41) demonstrated no change in RE (0.28 ± 0.65%). Cluster 1 demonstrated 1.7 km·h−1 greater MAS compared to cluster 2 (p = 0.014).

Conclusion
The present study highlights that the effect of shoe bending stiffness on RE is runner-specific. High-level runners took advantage of increased bending stiffness, whereas medium-level runners did not. Finally, this study emphasizes the importance of individual response examination to understand the effect of footwear on runner’s performance.
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NewsBot · Oct 28, 2022

Effects of Shoe Midfoot Bending Stiffness on Multi-Segment Foot Kinematics and Ground Reaction Force during Heel-Toe Running
Ruiya Ma et al
Bioengineering (Basel). 2022 Oct 2;9(10):520

We investigated how midfoot stiffness of running shoes influences foot segment kinematics and ground reaction force (GRF) during heel-toe running. Nineteen male rearfoot strike runners performed overground heel-toe running at 3.3 m/s when wearing shoes with different midfoot bending stiffnesses (low, medium, and high) in a randomized order. A synchronized motion capture system (200 Hz) and force plate (1000 Hz) were used to collect the foot-marker trajectories and GRF data. Foot kinematics, including rearfoot-lab, midfoot-rearfoot, forefoot-rearfoot, and forefoot-midfoot interactions, and kinetics, including GRF characteristics, were analyzed. Our results indicated that high midfoot stiffness shoes reduced the forefoot-rearfoot range of motion (mean ± SD; high stiffness, 7.8 ± 2.0°, low stiffness, 8.7 ± 2.1°; p < 0.05) and forefoot-midfoot range of motion (mean ± SD; high stiffness, 4.2 ± 1.1°, medium stiffness, 4.6 ± 0.9°; p < 0.05) in the frontal plane. No differences were found in the GRF characteristics among the shoe conditions. These findings suggest that an increase in midsole stiffness only in the midfoot region can reduce intersegmental foot medial-lateral movements during the stance phase of running. This may further decrease the tension of the foot muscles and tendons during prolonged exercises.
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NewsBot · Jan 17, 2023

Increasing Shoe Longitudinal Bending Stiffness Is Not Beneficial to Reduce Energy Cost During Graded Running
International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance
Titouan P. Perrin et al

Purpose: Carbon plates have been used to increase running shoes’ longitudinal bending stiffness (LBS), leading to reductions in the energy cost of level running (Cr). However, whether or not this is true during uphill (UH) running remains unknown. The aim of our study was to identify the effect of LBS on Cr during UH running. Methods: Twenty well-trained male runners participated in this study. Cr was determined using gas exchange during nine 4-minute bouts performed using 3 different LBS shoe conditions at 2.22 and 4.44 m/s on level and 2.22 m/s UH (gradient: + 15%) running. All variables were compared using 2-way analyses of variance (LBS × speed/grade effects). Results: There was no significant effect of LBS (F = 2.04; P = .14,
η
2
p
=
.11
) and no significant LBS × grade interaction (F = 0.31; P = .87,
η
2
p
=
.02
). Results were characterized by a very large interindividual variability in response to LBS changes. Conclusions: The current study contributes to a growing body of literature reporting no effect of LBS on Cr during level and UH running. Yet, the very large interindividual differences in response to changes in LBS suggest that increasing shoe LBS may be beneficial for some runners.
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NewsBot · Jan 24, 2023

Influence of Footwear Features on Oxygen Consumption and Running Economy: A Review
Miguel Ángel Melero-Lozano et al
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(1), 23; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13010023

It has been reported that the new technology applied to current racing shoes has increased the performance of runners who use this kind of footwear. This improvement has been proven in the scientific literature in relation to oxygen consumption. Nevertheless, as it is a novel topic, there is a lack of knowledge about which specific features achieve a decrease in oxygen consumption during running. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the influence of the features of footwear, specifically the shoe mass, the cushioning system, the longitudinal bending stiffness and the comfort feeling on running economy. This review was carried out from the bibliographic search in the main databases such as PubMed, Cochrane Plus and Medline and considering the PRISMA statement as a reference so that an analysis of the results has been obtained together with the methodological quality and risk of bias of the studies. Nineteen articles met the inclusion criteria, which presented a moderate/high methodological quality, and an analysis of their results was carried out. Footwear features such as the shoe mass, the cushioning system and the longitudinal bending stiffness produce advantages compared to other footwear that does not include this technology. Due to the lack of evidence, the influence of comfort feeling on oxygen consumption has not been proved.
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NewsBot · Aug 5, 2023

Influence of Running Shoe Longitudinal Bending Stiffness on Running Economy and Performance in Trained and National Level Runners
Rodrigo-Carranza, Víctor; Hoogkamer, Wouter; Salinero, Juan José; Rodríguez-Barbero, Sergio; González-Ravé, José María; González-Mohíno, Fernando
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise ():10.1249/MSS.0000000000003254, July 14, 2023. | DOI: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000003254

Introduction/purpose
Previous results about longitudinal bending stiffness (LBS) and running economy (RE) show high variability. This study aimed to assess the effects of shoes with increased LBS on RE and performance in trained and national runners.

Methods
Twenty-eight male runners were divided into two groups according to their 10-km performance times (trained: 38–45 min and national runners: <34 min). Subjects ran 2 x 3 min (at 9 and 13 km‧hr-1 for trained, and 13 and 17 km‧hr-1 for national runners) with an experimental shoe with carbon fiber plate to increase the LBS (Increased LBS) and a control shoe (without carbon fiber plate). We measured energy cost of running (W/kg) and spatiotemporal parameters in visit one and participants performed a 3,000 m time trial (TT) in two successive visits.

Results
Increased LBS improved RE in the trained group at slow (11.41 ± 0.93 vs 11.86 ± 0.93 W·kg-1) and fast velocity (15.89 ± 1.24 vs 16.39 ± 1.24 W·kg-1) and only at the fast velocity in the national group (20.35 ± 1.45 vs 20.78 ± 1.18 W·kg-1). The improvements in RE were accompanied by different changes in biomechanical variables between groups. There was a similar improvement in the 3,000 m TT test in Increased LBS for trained (639 ± 59 vs 644 ± 61 s in control shoes) and national runners (569 ± 21 vs 574 ± 21 s in control shoes) with more constant pace in increased LBS compared to control shoes in both groups.

Conclusions
Increasing shoe LBS improved RE at slow and fast velocities in trained and only at fast velocity in national runners. However, the 3,000 m TT test improved similarly in both levels of runners with increased LBS. The improvements in RE are accompanied by small modifications in running kinematics that could explain the difference between the different levels of runners.
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NewsBot · Aug 13, 2023

The influence of running shoe with different carbon-fiber plate designs on internal foot mechanics: A pilot computational analysis
Yang Song et al
Journal of Biomechanics Volume 153, May 2023, 111597

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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NewsBot · Oct 23, 2023

Footwear bending stiffness measurement methods: a review
Saba Eshraghi &Mahshid Yazdi Far
Footwear Science: 18 Oct 2023

Footwear stiffness affects kinematics and kinetic of the foot. This research is focused on footwear bending stiffness measurement methods that affect athletes’ performance. The influence of shoe bending stiffness on different movements; sprinting, running, jumping, etc was explained. Two different measurement methods; mechanical tests such as two and three-point bending machines and kinematic measurement methods using motion capture cameras were studied, and their limitations and effects on a variety of performances were presented. In mechanical tests, the most common method was the three-point bend test in which the footwear was analysed while carbon-fibre plates were added to increase the footwear stiffness. In kinematic measurements, attaching markers on the foot-shoe was analysed and the results presented discrepancies among studies. It was challenging to draw strong conclusions in choosing the best approach to measuring footwear stiffness as the methods’ protocols varied among studies.
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NewsBot · Apr 24, 2024 at 2:34 AM

Effect of increased shoe longitudinal bending stiffness on ankle and foot biomechanics in jump-cut movements of low and high degrees
Timo Bagehorn,Patrick Mai,Kevin Bill,Alexis Herbaut,Mark de Zee &Uwe G. Kersting
Footwear Science: 17 Mar 2024

Lateral ankle sprains are the most common injuries in indoor and court sports, with ankle inversion being a primary injury driver. Stabilising the ankle during multidirectional changes is crucial for injury prevention. Conversely, increased shoe stiffness has been hypothesised to influence the magnitude of ankle inversion and may raise the risk for ankle injuries. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of shoe longitudinal bending stiffness on ankle biomechanics during indoor and court sport-specific cutting movements. Biomechanical data from 19 participants were collected using a motion capture system and force plate. A jump-cut protocol with two different cutting directions after landing was performed in indoor shoes with and without carbon plate inserts of varying stiffness. Ankle kinematics and kinetics were analysed with statistical parametric mapping and repeated measures analysis of variance. A significant increase in ankle inversion during the 180° cut and a reduction in forefoot inversion (foot torsion) for stiffer footwear conditions during both the 45° and 180° cut were observed. While dorsiflexion moments differed during the last 10% of ground contact, ankle inversion moments did not significantly diverge between shoe conditions. Furthermore, a noteworthy correlation between footwear longitudinal bending stiffness and torsional stiffness was identified. In conclusion, increased bending stiffness significantly affected ankle and foot kinematics. The ankle compensated for restricted mobility and higher demands during high-degree jump-cuts, while foot torsion played a more prominent role in low-degree cuts. The heightened ankle inversion during high-degree cuts may induce an elevated risk for lateral ankle sprains. Further longitudinal studies are necessary to comprehensively understand injury incidence and the role of shoe stiffness in injury prevention.
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