BIOMECHANICAL VARIABLES AND THE PERCEPTION OF CUSHIONING FOR RUNNING IN VARIOUS TYPES OF FOOTWEAR

Using a 15-point rating scale, subjects rated perception of cushioning during running on a treadmill with three different footwear construct ions of varying midsole hardness. During overground running, various b iomechanical ground reaction force and pressure variables were collect ed and compared to the perception of cushioning scores. The perception scores identified the three shoes as very hard, medium soft, and soft . Peak pressures in the heel, the force rate, and the median power fre quency of the impact force signal demonstrated increases in values wit h the perception of less cushioning. In the harder shoes, the subjects altered the loading patterns under their feet, resulting in lower imp act forces and increased weight bearing of the forefoot structures.