The Influence of Motion Control, Neutral and Cushioned Running Shoes on Lower Limb Kinematics

To-date there is a paucity of information about how different types of conventional running shoes influence lower limb kinematics. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of motion control, neutral and cushioned running shoes upon lower limb kinematics. Twenty-eight active males completed one test session running in standardised motion control, neutral and cushioned running shoes, on a treadmill at a self-selected pace (2.9 ± 0.6 m.s-1). Kinematic data were collected using a VICON motion analysis system with hip, knee and ankle joint angles calculated. Discrete parameters associated with stance phase kinematics were compared between footwear conditions. Significant (p < .05) differences in knee flexion and internal rotation at toe off, and knee adduction range of motion were reported between footwear conditions. Significant (p < .05) differences in ankle joint dorsi-flexion and adduction upon initial contact, peak dorsi-flexion, eversion and abduction, and inversion at toe off were reported between footwear conditions. The influence of motion control, neutral and cushioned running shoes on joint function dissipates moving proximally, with larger changes reported at the ankle compared to knee and hip joints. While significant differences were reported between footwear conditions, these changes were of a small magnitude and effect size.