INTERNAL LOADING OF THE FOOT AND ANKLE DURING IMPACT IN RUNNING

A 3-D model was used in this study to determine the influence of midso le hardness, as well as the influence of running in shoes in compariso n to barefoot, on the contact forces in the joints of the foot and ank le during running. The results showed that there were no statistical d ifferences in the magnitude and rate of joint loading for changing mid sole hardness, nor were there any general trends observed in the measu red variables. However, both the magnitude and rate of loading in the subtalar and ankle joints during the impact phase were found to be gre ater in the barefoot condition than the shod condition. The results su ggest that if running injuries are assumed to be related to the impact of heel-strike, running in shoes may aid in preventing injuries, wher eas it is still questionable whether changes in the midsole hardness h ave a general influence on the incidence of impact-related injuries.