Moving from a Splint to a Functional Midfoot Shoe Design for Children

Abstract

Emerging evidence suggests that shoes have a splinting effect on the midfoot, reducing midfoot plantarflexion during the propulsive period of gait. This thesis explores the splinting effect of shoes on midfoot plantarflexion during propulsion via the development of a flexible shoe to facilitate midfoot plantarflexion during propulsion. The reduction in midfoot plantarflexion in conventional shoes reduces midfoot power generation and is partially compensated by an increase in ankle power generation. The novel flexible shoe proposed in this thesis increases midfoot plantarflexion and power generation compared to a conventional shoe, but does not match midfoot plantarflexion or power generation while barefoot.