In order to design new socks for soccer sports that do not slip down easily, we performed impact tests by jumping down of a subject wearing socks, so as to analyze and understand the principals involved in sock slipping. We then developed a prototype impact testing device of sock slipping and performed several impact tests.
Impact sock slipping can be explained by a simple dynamical model of three forces generated by the collision between the sock-covered leg and the ground. The three forces are the inertial force acting on the sock, frictional force acting between the sock and leg, and impulsive force acting on the leg. In the prototype impact testing device, a conical leg model with a sock was allowed to fall freely. The collision between the leg model and the ground was used to evaluate and test the sock slipping. As a result, the impact testing device had excellent reproducibility, and its usefulness was confirmed. To prevent the discomfort due to the sock slipping and ensure the leg safety for soccer sports subjected to severe conditions, novel socks designs of soccer sports will be needed to control the material, stitch, clothing pressure, and coefficient of friction according to the end-use performance.
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