title: Slip initiation in alternative and slip-resistant footwear.
abstract: Slips occur as a result of failure of normal locomotion. The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of alternative footwear (Crocs™, flip-flops) and an industry standard low-top slip-resistant shoe (SRS) under multiple gait trials (normal dry, unexpected slip, alert slip and expected slip) on lower extremity joint kinematics, kinetics and muscle activity. Eighteen healthy male participants (age: 22.28 ± 2.2 years; height: 177.66 ± 6.9 cm; mass: 79.27 ± 7.6 kg) completed the study. Kinematic, kinetic and muscle activity variables were analyzed using a 3(footwear) × 4(gait trials) repeated-measures analysis of variance at p = 0.05. Greater plantar flexion angles, lower ground reaction forces and greater muscle activity were seen on slip trials with the alternative footwear. During slip events, SRS closely resembled normal dry biomechanics, suggesting it to be a safer footwear choice compared with alternative footwear.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Kinesiology , Mississippi State University , USA.
authors.forename: Harish
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chander
authors.affiliation: b Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering , Auburn University , USA.
authors.forename: Chip
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wade
authors.affiliation: c Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion , Troy University , USA.
authors.forename: John C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Garner
authors.affiliation: a Department of Kinesiology , Mississippi State University , USA.
authors.forename: Adam C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Knight
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control; D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D012775:Shoes; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: alternative footwear; slip biomechanics; slip initiation; slip-resistant footwear