Ergonomics applied to the development and evaluation of insoles for protective footwear

• Published in: Applied sciences Vol. 13; no. 10; pp. 1 - 16
• Main Authors: Lima, Ana Lúcia Gadelha Moura, Costa, Susana Raquel Pinto, Costa, Nélson Bruno Martins Marques da, Leão, Celina Pinto, Moraes, Anna Sophia Piacenza, Carvalho, Miguel, Atalaia, Tiago, Martins, Rodrigo B., Martiniano, João, Arezes, P., Duarte, F. M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute 01-05-2023; MDPI AG
• Subjects: Adhesives; Analysis; Biomechanical engineering; Biomechanics; Classification; Data collection; Ergonomics; Feet; Footwear; Gait; Gait analysis; Heels; Human factors; Innovations; Insoles; Kinematics; Laboratories; Load distribution; Oxford foot model; Plantar pressure; Pressure; Protective clothing; Protective equipment; Safety engineering; Shoes; Shoes & boots; Walking; Work stations; United Kingdom; Portugal
• DOI: 10.3390/app13106207
• EISSN: 2076-3417

Knowledge of ergonomics/human factors plays an important role in the creation and design of safety shoes and insoles, contributing to worker protection, comfort, and stability. The purpose of this study is to compare previous insole designs and analyze the plantar pressure and gait pattern kinematics using the Oxford foot model protocol. The tests were performed comparing the environments on the three rockers of the gait, represented by the heel, midfoot, and forefoot, according to the classification of foot type. The analysis of plantar pressure, regarding its total and maximum distribution, showed that the innovative insole presents a better load distribution in terms of the maximum plantar pressure exerted in the hindfoot and forefoot regions. In the biomechanical analysis of gait, the five variables studied did not show variation in the normal mechanics of the foot in any of the three environments considered. The hallux joint was the one that presented the greatest divergences with the barefoot in terms of amplitude and variability, as expected.
SHOE@FUTURE: Technological Solutions for Professional Footwear, POCI-01-0247-FEDER-033835, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) through the Competitiveness and Internationalization Operational Program under the “Portugal 2020” Program. This work has been supported by FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia within the R&D Units Project Scope: UIDB/00319/2020.