The Validity of Our New Sneakers Designed for More Comfort and Easy Walking

Abstract

We improved our long selling sneakers with our concept for developing footwear that are “more comfortable and easy to walk with” while maintaining current production costs. Three experiments were conducted and the performances of the new sneakers were compared to those of the existing ones. Firstly, the transverse dispersion of the center of foot pressure (COP) was compared. As a result, the new sneakers enabled more stable walking. Secondly, shop workers wore the new and existing sneakers during their working time, and their muscle stiffness as well as change with foot shape before and after work was compared. As a result, the new sneakers restrained the increase of the calf circumference as well as the length and the width of the feet. The amount of swelling was also decreased and there were signs of effect with restraining arch reduction. Furthermore, the function evaluation resulted in restraining muscle stiffness on legs. Thirdly, the shock absorptions were compared, and 35% improvement was obtained. From the above three experimental results, it was suggested that the new sneakers materialized our concept.