Interaction between vibration damping and morphological and functional characteristics of the runner: implications for fatigue and footwear construction

In running, each foot contact causes an impact considered as an input into the musculoskeletal system. This involves a sudden deceleration of soft tissue packages including muscles, because of the shock wave generated beneath the foot travelling along the full body up to the head. As the frequency of impact forces in running are close to the natural frequency of soft tissue packages, soft-tissue vibrations may occur because of a resonance phenomenon (Fig. 1).  

Runners’ biomechanical and muscular adaptations (i.e. muscle tuning) may help minimizing stress and discomfort. Additionally, footwear, especially midsole materials, has the potential to influence soft tissue vibrations. However, these changes are highly subject-specific, which leads to differences in functional groups.

This PhD project aims at identifying these runner’s profiles based on vibrational (Fig. 2) and anthropometric variables, in order to design a shoe minimizing soft tissue vibrations and potentially neuromuscular fatigue.

Keywords: Running, Soft-Tissue Vibrations, Footwear, Damping, Muscular Activity, Neuromuscular Fatigue, Functional groups.