Biomechanical Effects of Shoe Cushioning on Lower Extremities during Drop Landing before and after Neuromuscular Fatigue / 医用生物力学

ABSTRACT

Objective To examine the effects of shoe cushioning on impact characteristics, kinematics and dynamics of lower extremities before and after neuromuscular fatigue during drop landing. Methods Fifteen trained male athletes were required to execute three successful trials of drop landing from a 60-cm platform before and after fatigue protocol. The impact force, loading rate, lower extremity kinematics, joint moment, joint stiffness were compared. Results Before fatigue, highly-cushioned shoes reduced the loading rate at heel before fatigue, and the time to peak loading rate of heel was significantly shorter than that of control shoes. After fatigue, highly-cushioned shoes significantly reduced the peak impact force and loading rate at heel, loading rate at forefoot. Meanwhile the time to peak impact force and peak loading rate at heel were significantly longer, and the contact and minimum angle of ankle were significantly greater. No significant changes were found in lower extremity stiffness, peak moment and joint stiffness of ankle. Conclusions In the situation where neuromuscular activity is reduced, highly-cushioned shoes can effectively attenuate the impact, thereby helping to avoid or reduce the potential impact damage after fatigue.