Enter your email address
Submit
Write your message
Volume 13, Issue 2 (Iranian Journal of Ergonomics 2025)
Iran J Ergon 2025, 13(2): 124-134 |
Back to browse issues page
Ethics code: IR.BIRJAND.REC.1404.014
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
Farjad Pezeshk A, Vafai M, Ilbeigi S. Effect of Upper Material in Military Boots on Lower Limb Loading during Walking. Iran J Ergon 2025; 13 (2) :124-134
URL: http://journal.iehfs.ir/article-1-1089-en.html
URL: http://journal.iehfs.ir/article-1-1089-en.html
1- Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Department of Sport Sciences, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran , abbas.farjad@birjand.ac.ir
2- Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Department of Sport Sciences, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran
2- Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Department of Sport Sciences, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran
Abstract: (2606 Views)
Objectives: The role of shaft stiffness in military boots is widely recognized, yet the majority of studies focus on quantifying stiffness rather than examining how the material composition of the boot shaft influences performance. The present study aimed to assess the effect of different boot materials on kinetic parameters, comparing conventional leather boots to a hybrid leather-synthetic design to assess their impact on mobility and biomechanical efficiency.
Methods: A repeated-measures experimental design was employed, assessing 20 healthy male participants under four conditions: walking with a formal shoe and three military boot types, each featuring distinct shaft materials (two leather and one a hybrid leather-synthetic design). Ground reaction forces, rate of force development, and impulse were recorded using a force plate. Statistical analysis involved repeated-measures ANOVA with Bonferroni correction.
Results: Featuring synthetic materials in the shaft, boot 3 displayed reduced negative impulse and elevated positive impulse relative to traditional leather boots during gait.
Conclusion: These findings highlighted the biomechanical advantages of hybrid boot designs, suggesting that reduced shaft stiffness improves mobility and motion efficiency. The study underscores the need for optimized traditional boot materials to enhance gait performance while minimizing injury risks, particularly for military personnel.
Methods: A repeated-measures experimental design was employed, assessing 20 healthy male participants under four conditions: walking with a formal shoe and three military boot types, each featuring distinct shaft materials (two leather and one a hybrid leather-synthetic design). Ground reaction forces, rate of force development, and impulse were recorded using a force plate. Statistical analysis involved repeated-measures ANOVA with Bonferroni correction.
Results: Featuring synthetic materials in the shaft, boot 3 displayed reduced negative impulse and elevated positive impulse relative to traditional leather boots during gait.
Conclusion: These findings highlighted the biomechanical advantages of hybrid boot designs, suggesting that reduced shaft stiffness improves mobility and motion efficiency. The study underscores the need for optimized traditional boot materials to enhance gait performance while minimizing injury risks, particularly for military personnel.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Biomechanics
Received: 2025/06/23 | Accepted: 2025/09/1 | ePublished: 2025/09/1
Received: 2025/06/23 | Accepted: 2025/09/1 | ePublished: 2025/09/1
References
1. Hamill J, Bensel CK. Biomechanical analysis of military boots: phase III. United States Army Technical Report NATICK/TR-96.013; dated Mar. 1996;11:42.
2. Yeo EX, Chhabra K, Kong PW. Influence of combat boot types on in-shoe forces and perceived comfort during unloaded and loaded walking. BMJ Mil Health. 2024;170(1):37-42. [DOI:10.1136/bmjmilitary-2021-002061] [PMID]
3. Stefanyshyn DJ, Nigg BM. Energy aspects associated with sport shoes. Sportverletz Sportschaden. 2000;14(3):82-9. [DOI:10.1055/s-2000-7867] [PMID]
4. Böhm H, Hösl M. Effect of boot shaft stiffness on stability joint energy and muscular co-contraction during walking on uneven surface. J Biomech. 2010;43(13):2467-72. [DOI:10.1016/j.jbiomech.2010.05.029] [PMID]
5. Stacoff A, Stüssi E. External stabilizers for the foot. Sportverletz Sportschaden. 1993;7(4):200-5. [DOI:10.1055/s-2007-993508] [PMID]
6. Avramakis E, Stakoff A, Stüssi E. Effect of shoe shaft and shoe sole height on the upper ankle joint in lateral movements in floorball (uni-hockey). Sportverletz Sportschaden. 2000;14(3):98-106. [DOI:10.1055/s-2000-7869] [PMID]
7. Mika A, Oleksy Ł, Mika P, Marchewka A, Clark BC. The influence of heel height on lower extremity kinematics and leg muscle activity during gait in young and middle-aged women. Gait Posture. 2012;35(4):677-80. [DOI:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2011.12.001] [PMID]
8. Cikajlo I, Matjačić Z. The influence of boot stiffness on gait kinematics and kinetics during stance phase. Ergonomics. 2007;50(12):2171-82. [DOI:10.1080/00140130701582104] [PMID]
9. Requiao LF, Nadeau S, Milot MH, Gravel D, Bourbonnais D, Gagnon D. Quantification of level of effort at the plantarflexors and hip extensors and flexor muscles in healthy subjects walking at different cadences. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2005;15(4):393-405. [DOI:10.1016/j.jelekin.2004.12.004] [PMID]
10. Greensword M, Aghazadeh F, Al-Qaisi S. Modified track shoes and their effect on the EMG activity of calf muscles. Work. 2012;41(S1):1763-70. [DOI:10.3233/WOR-2012-0382-1763] [PMID]
11. Blackburn JT, Hirth CJ, Guskiewicz KM. Exercise sandals increase lower extremity electromyographic activity during functional activities. J Athl Train. 2003;38(3):198-203.
12. Dobson JA, Riddiford-Harland DL, Steele JR. Effects of wearing gumboots and leather lace-up work boots on plantar loading when walking on a simulated underground coal mine surface. Footwear Science, 2018;10(3), 139-148. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2015.01.006. [DOI:10.1016/j.apergo.2015.01.006] [PMID]
13. Dobson JA, Riddiford-Harland DL, Steele JR. Effects of wearing gumboots and leather lace-up boots on lower limb muscle activity when walking on simulated underground coal mine surfaces. Appl Ergon. 2015;49:34-40. [DOI:10.1016/j.apergo.2015.01.006] [PMID]
14. Dobson JA, Riddiford-Harland DL, Bell AF, Wegener C, Steele JR. Effect of work boot shaft stiffness and sole flexibility on boot clearance and shank muscle activity when walking on simulated coal mining surfaces: implications for reducing trip risk. Ergonomics. 2022;65(8):1071-85. [DOI:10.1080/00140139.2021.2016996] [PMID]
15. Haghighat F, Rezaie M, Majlesi M. How boots affect the kinematics and kinetics of lower limb joints during walking compared to casual footwear. Sci Rep. 2024;14(1):18389. [DOI:10.1038/s41598-024-68533-1] [PMID]
16. Bini RR, Kilpp DD, Júnior PA, Muniz AM. Comparison of ground reaction forces between combat Boots and sports shoes. Biomechanics. 2021;1(3):281-9. [DOI:10.3390/biomechanics1030023]
17. Zhang M, Shi H, Liu H, Zhou X. Biomechanical analysis of running in shoes with different heel-to-toe drops. Appl Sci. 2021;11(24):12144. [DOI:10.3390/app112412144]
Send email to the article author
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
Copyright Policy
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
