Effect of footwear cushioning on neuromuscular fatigue from prolonged running

摘要

Repetitive loading of the musculoskeletal system during running is a much-reported injury risk factor; hence cushioning has been one of the most extensively investigated shoe features. The influence of shoe midsole hardness on vertical impact peaks during running has been a question of high interest in running research. However, the studies investigating the effect of shoe cushioning on impact forces have not provided consistent results, as paradoxically, many reports increased leg stiffness and impact forces in maximally cushioned shoes (Kulmala et al., 2018). There is a thought that cushioning allows a person to run with less knee flexion and thus less muscular effort (Kerdok et al., 2002). However, the effect of shoe cushioning on neuromuscular fatigue has rarely been reported.