title: Effects of replica running shoes upon external forces and muscle activity during running.
abstract: Twelve participants ran (9 km · h(-1)) to test two types of running shoes: replica and original shoes. Ground reaction force, plantar pressure and electromyographic activity were recorded. The shoes were tested randomly and on different days. Comparisons between the two experimental conditions were made by analysis of variance (ANOVA) test (P ≤ 0.05). The time to first peak, loading rate of the first peak and impulse of the first 75 ms of stance were significantly different between the shoes (P ≤ 0.05), revealing an increase of impact forces for the replica shoes. The peak plantar pressure values were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) when wearing replica shoes. During running, the contact area was significantly smaller (P ≤ 0.05) for the replica shoe. The electromyographic activity of the analysed muscles did not show changes between the two shoes in running. These findings suggest that the use of replica running shoes can increase the external load applied to the human body, but may not change the muscle activity pattern during locomotion. This new mechanical situation may increase the risk of injuries in these movements.
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Education and Sport, Laboratory of Biomechanics, University of São Paulo, Professor Melo Moraes Avenue 65, São Paulo, Brazil. anaazevedo@usp.br
authors.forename: Ana Paula Da Silva
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Azevedo
authors.forename: Kátia
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Brandina
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bianco
authors.forename: Vitor Henrique De
authors.initials: VH
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Juliana Roque De
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mezencio
authors.forename: Alberto Carlos
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Amadio
authors.forename: Júlio Cerca
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Serrão
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D011312:Pressure; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D012775:Shoes; D019876:Sports Equipment; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013995:Time; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult