REARFOOT MOTION AND TORSION IN RUNNING - THE EFFECTS OF UPPER VAMP STABILIZERS

In this paper the changes produced in the kinematics of the foot durin g running when the upper vamp design of the shoes is modified are stud ied. Ten marathon runners who presented overpronation were selected, a nd five prototypes of running shoes, incorporating several rearfoot co ntrol features, were specially designed for the study. The rear plane of the lower leg was filmed at high speed during treadmill running whi le subjects wore the prototypes. Variables referring to maximum angles of rearfoot eversion and torsion were found to be more sensitive to c hanges introduced in the sport shoes than variables corresponding to r anges of motion. Statistically significant differences were found betw een prototypes during the support phase in rearfoot motion and torsion . In general the prototypes that showed an increase in rearfoot contro l also showed a decrease in torsion.