A foot database comprising 3D foot shapes and footwear fitting reports of more than 300 participants is presented. It was primarily acquired to study footwear fitting, though it can also be used to analyse anatomical features of the foot. In fact, we present a technique for automatic detection of several foot anatomical landmarks, together with some empirical results.

Background A decrease in postural stability may increase the risk of falling in the older adult. The relationship between athletic footwear and postural stability has been reported in previous studies with conflicting results. The aim of the current study is to evaluate differences between two different types of athletic footwear and barefeet, in relation to postural stability in asymptomatic o...

Adherence of patients to treatment and appropriateness of prescribed footwear are mandatory for successful prevention of Diabetic foot ulceration. In a Public Healthcare Service, footwear approval is under the responsibility of the clinician. In some cases kinetic measurements are taken inside the shoes to support the clinical decision; however, an overall agreement is still missing with respec...

Humans experience repetitive impact forces beneath the heel during walking and heel strike running that cause impact peaks characterized by high rates and magnitudes of loading. Impact peaks are caused by the exchange of momentum between the ground and a portion of the body that comes to a full stop (the effective mass) during the period of the impact peak. A number of factors can influence thi...

OBJECTIVES This study investigates biomechanical implications of walking with indigenous "Kolhapuri" footwear compared to barefoot walking among a population of South Indians. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ten healthy adults from South India walked barefoot and indigenously shod at voluntary speed on an artificial substrate. The experiment was repeated outside, on a natural substrate. Data were colle...

Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association Falls are common occurrences in the older population and account for considerable morbidity and mortality in this age group. Community-based studies suggest that approximately one-third of people over the age of 65 years will experience a fall within any given year.1-3 In many cases, the injuries sustained from these falls have a significant...

BACKGROUND The control of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) has primarily focused on preventive chemotherapy and case management. Less attention has been placed on the role of ensuring access to adequate water, sanitation, and hygiene and personal preventive measures in reducing exposure to infection. Our aim was to assess whether footwear use was associated with a lower risk of selected NTDs....

Minimalist running footwear has grown increasingly popular. Prior studies that have compared lower extremity biomechanics in minimalist running to traditional running conditions are largely limited to a single running velocity. This study compares the effects of running at various speeds on foot strike pattern, stride length, knee angles and ankle angles in traditional, barefoot, and minimalist...

Footwear is a complex product, comprising various materials which are made using a wide range of chemicals. Some of these chemicals are hazardous for health and for the environment. Converting raw hides into finished products requires a number of complex treatments, for which large amounts of chemicals and water are used. The purpose of this study is to provide information on the harmful substa...