Kinematic and kinetic analyses of novice running in dress shoes and running shoes

The purpose of the study was to investigate how novice runners adjust their lower extremities in heel-toe running while they wear dress shoes and running shoes. Ten novice male runners repeatedly ran across a force plate at 4 m/s in each type of shoes. Joint kinematics and kinetics, vertical ground reaction force, and utilized coefficient of friction during the stance phase were quantified. The results obtained showed no differences in impact peaks, stance time, stride length and joint kinematics. However, dorsiflexion moment was significantly greater with dress shoes (407 Nm) compared to that with running shoes (304 Nm; p < 0.05). Compared to the runners in running shoes (0.23), the runners in dress shoes (0.20) achieved a significantly lower utilized coefficient of friction (p < 0.05). When running in dress shoes, novice runners tended to use better a dorsiflexion moment than when running in running shoes. This adaptation appears to minimize the chances of slipping at the moment of heel strike.