Search Results (53)

Background/Objectives: Clinical guidelines for children’s footwear vary widely across governmental and clinical sources, reflecting inconsistencies in best practices for paediatric foot health. These discrepancies arise from differing research interpretations, regional priorities, and clinical expertise. This scoping review evaluates existing guidelines and examines the evidence supporting them. The objective of this scoping review was to identify and map existing footwear guidelines for healthy children and adolescents across governmental, professional, and clinical sources, and to evaluate the type and strength of evidence underpinning these recommendations. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and governmental databases was conducted. Studies on footwear recommendations for healthy children aged 18 months to 18 years were included. Articles published between 1970 and 2024 were considered, as 1970 marked the first mass marketing of running shoes/trainers. Results: Footwear guidelines lack standardisation, with variations in definitions, recommendations, and supporting evidence. Key inconsistencies exist in parameters such as fit, flexibility, and toe allowance, with most recommendations based on expert opinion rather than empirical data. Discrepancies in commercial footwear sizing further complicate proper fit assessment. Conclusions: This is the first comprehensive review of children’s footwear guidelines, integrating governmental, professional body, and clinical recommendations. While there is consensus on the importance of properly fitting shoes, the literature reveals inconsistencies and reliance on expert opinion rather than high-quality research. This review highlights the need for standardised, evidence-based criteria to guide footwear recommendations and serves as a foundation for future research aimed at bridging the gap between research and practice. Full article

Background: Defects of the foot and ankle area pose a significant challenge for both patients and surgeons. While the primary objective of microvascular free flap reconstructions of lower leg defects is limb preservation, there should be an effort to obtain the best functional and aesthetic results possible and to restore the patient’s quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term post-operative functional outcome, health-related quality of life, scar quality, and aesthetic satisfaction in patients following microsurgical reconstructions of defects of the foot and ankle area. Methods: We conducted a monocentric, controlled cohort study of adult patients who underwent microsurgical reconstructions for defects of the foot and ankle area between 2006 and August 2022 at our department. As a control, we recruited healthy individuals. Patient-Reported Outcome Measures questionnaires were used to assess long-term results regarding functionality (LEFS: Lower Extremity Functional Scale), health-related quality of life (SF-36: Short-Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire), scar quality (PSAS: Patient Scar Assessment Scale), aesthetic satisfaction (Aesthetic Likert Scale), pain at rest and activity (10-point Numeric Rating Scale) and usage of footwear. Results: Of the 55 potential patients who had received microvascular free flaps for reconstructions of ankle and foot defects and were eligible for study inclusion, 13 (23.6%) agreed to participate in this study. The study cohort consisted of 84.6% male subjects and the mean follow-up period was 8.6 years (±5.2). Significant moderate limitations were observed with regard to physical function of the lower extremity (LEFS: 42.5 ± 20.5, p = 0.002). Significant limitations were found in the SF-36 subscales of pain (55.8 ± 34.5, p = 0.019), physical functioning (55.0 ± 29.7, p = 0.013), and physical role functioning (38.5 ± 44.0, p = 0.006). The study yielded favorable outcomes with regard to aesthetic satisfaction (14.3 ± 4.4) and scar quality (23.5 ± 13.5). Out of all the patients, 61% were required to wear orthopedic shoes or insoles. Conclusions: Patients undergoing microsurgical reconstructions for ankle and foot defects experience moderate long-term physical limitations and persistent pain during activity. Furthermore, we observed a significant long-term impact on specific physical domains of health-related quality of life, whereas mental health seems less affected. Full article

Post-op shoes (POSs) are commonly used after forefoot surgery to protect the surgical site. However, there are insufficient data on their impact on forefoot load during the rollover phase of walking. This study aims to analyze the effects of a commonly used POS on plantar pressures under the forefoot and to assess whether improper usage could affect pressure patterns. Sixteen healthy volunteers underwent three different walking tests on a straight tartan track. The test setting included walking barefoot, as well as normal walking and a modified heel-accentuated “limping” gait while wearing a common POS. The pressure distribution over the forefoot regions of interest was measured using sensor insoles and a pressure-measuring plate on the ground. Results show that only the heel-accentuated “limping” gait in the POS led to a significant reduction in pressure values over all anatomical regions compared to the normal barefoot gait. Furthermore, higher pressure values were found over the lesser toes during normal walking in the POS compared to normal barefoot walking. The findings highlight that the protective function of a POS relies on proper use, specifically the correct gait pattern. If used incorrectly, POS may even have unfavorable effects on the pressure on the operated forefoot and possibly even increase the risk of delayed healing or complications in comparison to barefoot walking. Therefore, strategies such as patient training in proper walking techniques should be incorporated into postoperative care. Full article

A striatal toe is a misalignment of the hallux in dorsal flexion that frequently presents as a symptom of Parkinson’s disease and also atypical Parkinson syndromes. It can negatively impact patients during activities such as walking, putting on socks and shoes, and particularly while wearing shoes. It causes pain and thus induces a loss of quality of life. But, to date, we have few data on the topics of the prevalence, genesis, and therapy of striatal toe. Publications available on botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) have demonstrated a positive effect in the treatment of striatal toe, although the current study data are also rather limited in this area. Commensurate approval studies have not yet been performed. We will introduce our contemporary data on therapy for striatal toe with BoNT and we will also discuss possible questions open for further study. Full article

Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFUs) are a significant health and economic burden, potentially leading to limb amputation, with a severe impact on a person’s quality of life. During active movements like gait, the monitoring of shear has been suggested as an important factor for effective prevention of DFUs. It is proposed that, in textiles, strain can be measured as a proxy for shear stress at the skin. This paper presents the conceptualisation and development of a novel strain-sensing approach that can be unobtrusively integrated within sock textiles and worn within the shoe. Working with close clinical and patient engagement, a sensor specification was identified, and 12 load-sensing approaches for the prevention of DFU were evaluated. A lead concept using a conductive adhesive was selected for further development. The method was developed using a Lycra sample, before being translated onto a knitted ‘sock’ substrate. The resultant strain sensor can be integrated within mass-produced textiles fabricated using industrial knitting machines. A case-study was used to demonstrate a proof-of-concept version of the strain sensor, which changes resistance with applied mechanical strain. A range of static and dynamic laboratory testing was used to assess the sensor’s performance, which demonstrated a resolution of 0.013 $\mathrm{\Omega }$ across a range of 0–430 $\mathrm{\Omega }$ and a range of interest of 0–20 $\mathrm{\Omega }$. In cyclic testing, the sensor exhibited a cyclic strain threshold of 6% and a sensitivity gradient of 0.3 ± 0.02, with a low dynamic drift of 0.039 to 0.045% of the total range. Overall, this work demonstrates a viable textile-based strain sensor capable of integration within worn knitted structures. It provides a promising first step towards developing a sock-based strain sensor for the prevention of DFU formation. Full article

Foot disorders affect approximately 10% of adults, with plantar heel pain significantly impacting foot-related quality of life and altering walking patterns. Flat feet, characterized by a lack of longitudinal arches, can lead to fatigue during walking. This study aims to develop 3D-printed shoe insoles tailored to the needs of patients. The design process incorporates Quality Function Deployment (QFD), Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ), and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) methods to create insoles that alleviate concentrated loads while meeting patient requirements. The AHP analysis indicated that patients prioritize insoles that effectively manage pressure distribution to achieve optimal functionality. QFD and TRIZ facilitated the identification of four product alternatives and production specifications. The analysis indicated that 3D-printed insoles made from TPU filament with 20% auxetic infill best align with patient preferences. This auxetic TPU option emerged as the top choice, achieving a priority value of 0.2506 due to its superior functionality and comfort. Load distribution measurements confirmed that TPU with auxetic infill resulted in the lowest load distribution, with a standard deviation of 0.1434 and a 25.4% reduction in maximum load compared to conditions without the insole. Full article

In any industry, maximizing the use of raw materials is essential to reduce waste and costs, which also positively impacts the environment. In footwear production, components are typically derived from cutting processes, requiring optimized systems to maximize the use of different materials, minimize waste, and accelerate production. In this context, nesting is a technique that arranges shapes within a confined space to maximize area utilization and reduce unused space. As this problem is classified as NP-Hard, only algorithmic approximations can be employed. This paper focuses on optimizing the cutting of leather parts for shoe manufacturing. Footwear parts are cut from cattle hides, which are not only irregular in shape but also vary in resistance and quality across different areas of the same piece of leather. This study proposes automated nesting methods that aim to compete with current manual approaches, which are conducted exclusively by experts with deep knowledge of the characteristics of both the pieces and the leather, making the manual process time-intensive. This research reviews current methods and introduces hybrid ones, achieving up to 38.4× acceleration and up to 10.18% increase in nested pieces over manual methods. Full article

Knee joint function deterioration significantly impacts quality of life. This study developed estimation models for ten knee indicators using data from in-shoe motion sensors to assess knee movement during everyday activities. Sixty-six healthy young participants were involved, and multivariate linear regression was employed to construct the models. The results showed that eight out of ten models achieved a “fair” to “good” agreement based on intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs), with three knee joint angle indicators reaching the “fair” agreement. One temporal indicator model displayed a “good” agreement, while another had a “fair” agreement. For the angular jerk cost indicators, three out of four attained a “fair” or “good” agreement. The model accuracy was generally acceptable, with the mean absolute error ranging from 0.54 to 0.75 times the standard deviation of the true values and errors less than 1% from the true mean values. The significant predictors included the sole-to-ground angles, particularly the foot posture angles in the sagittal and frontal planes. These findings support the feasibility of estimating knee function solely from foot motion data, offering potential for daily life monitoring and rehabilitation applications. However, discrepancies in the two models were influenced by the variance in the baseline knee flexion and sensor placement. Future work will test these models on older and osteoarthritis-affected individuals to evaluate their broader applicability, with prospects for user-tailored rehabilitation applications. This study is a step towards simplified, accessible knee health monitoring through wearable technology. Full article

Whole-body vibration (WBV) is a training modality, and it seems to be a safe and efficient exercise especially to improve different aspects of physical fitness in different populations. The protocols for WBV are still not standardized. The difficulty in comparing the data confuses the real efficacy of this instrument. Consequently, the objective of this umbrella review is to analyze the protocols previously adopted and eventually to propose a standard operating procedure for WBV training. Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on WBV were searched on the electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus until 18 March 2024. A quality assessment of the studies included has been performed. A total of 20 studies were included in this umbrella review and frequency, magnitude, and amplitude intensity data were recorded. Detailed information about the protocols (static or dynamic exercises, barefoot or with shoes, intensity duration, weekly frequency, and vibration characteristics) was also collected. WBV presents widely different protocols. Consequently, a standard operating procedure has not been proposed for WBV training. A hypothesis of intervention was instead written in which parameters for frequency, amplitude, acceleration, and training mode were proposed. Full article

Numerous advanced industrial countries emphasize green environmental protection alongside athletic healthcare. Many world-renowned sports brands are actively developing highly functional, environmentally friendly, and aesthetically pleasing products. For example, in the production of sports shoes, the eco-friendly yarn process is one of the important processes. This process involves multiple crucial larger-the-better quality characteristics closely tied to the functionality of sports shoes. Facing green environmental regulations and external competitors, it is evidently an imperative issue for enterprises to consider how to improve the quality of newly developed products, increase product value, and lower rates of both rework and scrap to accomplish the goals of saving energy and minimizing waste. Aiming to solve this problem, this study proposed a fuzzy evaluation model for products with multifunctional quality characteristics to assist the sporting goods manufacturing industry in evaluating whether all functional quality characteristics of its products meet the required quality level. This study first utilized the larger-the-better Six Sigma quality index concerning environmental protection for evaluation and then proposed product evaluation indicators for the eco-friendly yarn. Since the parameters of these indicators have not yet been determined, sample data need to be used for estimation. Enterprises require rapid response, so that the sample size is relatively small. Sampling error will increase the risk of misjudgment. Therefore, taking suggestions from previous studies, this study constructed the fuzzy evaluation model based on confidence intervals of quality indicators for the eco-friendly yarn. This method incorporated previous experience with data, thereby enhancing assessment accuracy. Full article

The fashion industry is an integral part of people’s lives with different purchasing behaviors depending on age and education. In this paper, we focused on the perception of online shopping for second-hand clothes and shoes among Generation Z. This group has a lot of experience in using technology, so online shopping is a suitable way to buy second-hand clothes. The article aims to analyze the online shopping behavior of Gen Z, focusing on benefits, obstacles, environmental awareness, and preferred shopping platforms. We studied consumer preferences in shopping for second-hand clothes based on a sample consisting of 340 respondents representing Generation Z through an online Google Forms questionnaire published from November to January. The results show that price is the biggest advantage of shopping for second-hand clothes. Moreover, we found that the environmental aspect plays a significant role for all consumers, regardless of the online experience of shopping for second-hand clothes and shoes. The correspondence maps demonstrate that consumers with shopping experience planning a future purchase of second-hand clothing are aware of the environmental impact of purchasing clothing together with potential buyers of second-hand clothing, unlike consumers without any interest in purchasing second-hand clothing. These consumers and potential buyers of second-hand clothing consider environmental protection and high-quality, diverse (unique) clothing to be key benefits, in contrast to a smaller selection and used clothing. These conclusions provide a theoretical basis for understanding the sustainability and shopping requirements of the selected group. Full article

This study endeavors to explore the intricate interplay between the fundamental skills of basketball—defensive slide, crossover dribbling, and full approach jump—and the shoe outsole friction coefficient, with the overarching goal of advancing our comprehension regarding the pivotal role of footwear in athlete performance. Employing a comprehensive methodology that integrates 3D motion capture, force platform dynamometry, and biomechanical modeling, the study seeks to quantify the inherent motor control intricacies associated with these fundamental skills. Data collection involved 12 varsity players, and the research systematically assesses the influence of the shoe friction coefficient on both skill quality and injury risk, utilizing a set of 13 parameters for evaluation. The findings unveil that, with an increased friction coefficient, the following changes occur: for the defensive slide, we observed decreased contact time (p < 0.05), boosted medio–lateral impulse (p < 0.05), and lowered ankle torque (p < 0.01); for crossover dribbling, we observed increased anterior–posterior impulse (p < 0.05) and ankle torque (p < 0.05); for the full approach jump, we observed decreased contact time (p < 0.05) and increased jump height (p < 0.05). Generally, the equal increment in the shoe outsole friction coefficient did not result in equal changes in the selected parameters of motor skill control, indicating a non-linear relationship between the performance quality of essential basketball skills and the shoe friction coefficient. The results suggest the potential existence of an optimal value for skill execution. Notably, the study identifies that, while an augmentation in the friction coefficient enhances specific skill aspects, there is a discernible saturation point, signifying diminishing returns. This investigation makes a substantial contribution to our understanding of the precise impacts of shoe friction coefficients on basketball skills, thereby prompting considerations for the judicious selection of optimal friction coefficients and advocating for possible personalized footwear recommendations based on individual biomechanical profiles. Full article

Background: The health of children’s lower extremities and feet is a focus area for caregivers and healthcare professionals such as doctors, school nurses, and podiatrists. Our study aims to investigate the general health status of Danish children’s lower extremities and feet to identify anthropometric parameters that might be preconditions for pain and evaluate for foot diseases and whether they are associated with pain intensity and location, three-dimensional foot dimensions and foot pressure mapping, shoe dimensions, types and intensity of sports activity, quality of life, and foot health. The aim is that we will be able to identify parameters pre-dispositioning for pain, thus providing recommendations for sports activities in relation to the anthropometric conditions of a child as a potential preventive measure for pain. This analysis will be stratified by socioeconomic status on a group level, and this perspective will be able to provide preventative recommendations to prevent pain. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional examination of a thousand children in the first, fifth, and ninth grades in randomized selected Danish primary schools. We will perform a clinical examination of the lower extremities and feet for misalignments, deformities, and diseases as well as rotational status and range of motion. Moreover, we will evaluate their pain levels, sports activities, three-dimensional foot dimensions, plantar pressure, footwear, and patient-related outcome measures (PROMs) for foot health and quality of life. Results: We aim to provide an anthropometrical overview of the lower extremities and feet in children. The obtained basic understanding of healthy normal material in children will be analyzed for its relationships with pain level, sports activities, and socioeconomic status on a group level. This could potentially provide us with an understanding of the factors that impact lower extremity and foot diseases in children. In conclusion, examining children’s lower extremities and feet in Danish primary schools is a step toward identifying areas of improvement in self-care and shoe fitting, mapping podiatry-related needs of care in children’s feet, and providing parental recommendations for preventive actions on shoe fitting and the choice and intensity of sports activity concerning pain. Conclusions: The tenet of this study is a long-term follow-up to evaluate the long-term socioeconomic course on a group level, foot status, and sports activity, using patient-related outcome measures evaluating quality of life and other lifestyle factors such as emotional functioning, social functioning and interaction, and school functioning. Potentially, this will improve children’s quality of life and prevent future diseases. Full article

Background: An ingrown nail (IN—ingrowing nail) is a very troublesome condition that mainly affects the big toe in all age groups and involves the ingrowth of part of the nail plate into the soft periungual tissues, causing an inflammatory reaction, pain, and even a bacterial infection. As a result of the evolution of inflammation, highly vascularized and painful granulation tissue is formed, visible in the side walls, which causes difficulties in walking, while reducing the quality of life of patients in everyday functioning. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the VHO-Osthold^® Perfect orthonyxic buckle while treating ingrown nails and its effect on the clinical picture of the nail apparatus. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted on 39 patients with ingrown toenails in Scholz stage 3a–5b who underwent therapy with the use of a VHO-Osthold^® Perfect orthonyxic brace. An original questionnaire form was used to assess the therapy, consisting of several parts concerning the type and stage of the ingrown nails, the location and aetiopathogenesis of the ingrown nails, pain, and the patients’ life quality before and after therapy. Results: All elements improved significantly after treatment (p < 0.05 each). Twelve months after the end of therapy, none of the probands reported disease relapse. The predominant location of ingrown nails was both big toes (69.2% for each foot). The most common group of reasons was outer pressure—all patients experienced at least one issue, with frequent mechanical injuries being the most common (59.0%), followed by wearing too-small shoes (46.2%). Almost half of the patients declared no worries during treatment (48.7%). Life quality assessment grew from 1.82 ± 1.02 to 6.41 ± 0.72 on a scale from 1 to 7, p < 0.001. Conclusions: The VHO-Osthold^® Perfect clamp eliminates pain after application to the ingrown toenail and allows for a safe and conservative approach to the treatment of ingrown toenails, improving the clinical picture of the nail apparatus, general well-being, and the quality of life of patients with advanced ingrown toenails. Full article

In recent years, human activity monitoring and recognition have gained importance in providing valuable information to improve the quality of life. A lack of activity can cause health problems including falling, depression, and decreased mobility. Continuous activity monitoring can be useful to prevent progressive health problems. With this purpose, this study presents a wireless smart insole with four force-sensitive resistors (FSRs) that monitor foot contact states during activities for both indoor and outdoor use. The designed insole is a compact solution and provides walking comfort with a slim and flexible structure. Moreover, the inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors designed in our previous study were used to collect 3-axis accelerometer and 3-axis gyroscope outputs. Smart insoles were located in the shoe sole for both right and left feet, and two IMU sensors were attached to the thigh area of each leg. The sensor outputs were collected and recorded from forty healthy volunteers for eight different gait-based activities including walking uphill and descending stairs. The obtained datasets were separated into three categories; foot contact states, the combination of acceleration and gyroscope outputs, and a set of all sensor outputs. The dataset for each category was separately fed into deep learning algorithms, namely, convolutional long–short-term memory neural networks. The performance of each neural network for each category type was examined. The results show that the neural network using only foot contact states presents 90.1% accuracy and provides better performance than the combination of acceleration and gyroscope datasets for activity recognition. Moreover, the neural network presents the best results with 93.4% accuracy using a combination of all the data compared with the other two categories. Full article