Biomechanical and Metabolic Effects of Using Spring Shoes During Locomotion

Footwear type and design can affect lower limb biomechanics and gait energy expenditure and cost. However, to date, the effects of wearing spring shoes during locomotion have been overlooked. Thus, we investigated the biomechanical and metabolic impact of walking and running with spring shoes. Eight young physically active subjects participated in this preliminary comparative study. The participants performed four 20-m shuttle locomotion trials lasting 10 minutes in a randomized order (walking with athletic shoes, running with athletic shoes, walking with spring shoes, and running with spring shoes). Lower limb kinematics was recorded with an IMU-based wearable motion capture system, while heart rate and oxygen consumption with a portable breath-by-breath gas analysis system. Preferred gait speed was measured using photocells. We analyzed data from the last 5 minutes of each trial (steady state phase). Lower limb kinematics (hip abduction and flexion, and knee flexion) and gait spatiotemporal (stride and flight time), as well as metabolic parameters (energy cost), varied during both walking and running, suggesting biomechanical and metabolic adaptations when using spring shoes.