Eighteen years of running shoe testing in Germany – a series of biomechanical studies

Abstract

From 1991 to 2009 nine running shoe tests with a total of 156 shoe models were performed in our laboratory. Using an identical testing protocol, a material, a biomechanical and a field test were combined for comprehensive evaluation of footwear properties. We found that an impacter test is of limited value to predict the shock attenuation properties of shoes. From our tests between 1991 and 2002 the running shoe stability improved continuously and remained constant until 2009. The shock attenuation properties of the shoes were good in the early years, became worse during 2000 and 2005 and improved again during recent years. An evaluation of the subjective quality ratings from our runners showed that they prefer shoes with good shock attenuating properties. Field tests are of limited value to evaluate running shoe properties. If runners like a shoe they like all shoe features of that shoe. They are not well able to differentiate between different shoe properties. High quality running shoes still maintain good functional stability and cushioning properties after 1000 km of use. Therefore, the lifetime for a high quality running shoe is expected to be much higher than 1000 km.

Keywords:

• running shoes
• foot biomechanics
• injuries
• shoe testing
• shock attenuation
• pronation
• pressure distribution

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by Stiftung Warentest, Germany. Thank you to the contribution of the following former and current graduate students that have made this long term research possible: K. Althoff, T. Brauner, S. Fischer, M. Hagen, A.-K. Hömme, S. Kimmeskamp, T. Milani, D. Nass, S. Podzielny, B. Prätorius, D. Rosenbaum, G. Schnabel, T. Sterzing and N. Völkel