COMPARATIVE STUDY OF SHOE-SURFACE INTERACTION IN TRAIL RUNNING - SUBJECTIVE AND OBJECTIVE EVALUATION

The purpose of this study is to compare and evaluate different running shoes in various surface conditions in two measurement phases. In the subjective test, fourteen trail runners performed the experiment with three running shoes in distinct surface conditions. Three features, comfort, cushioning and traction, were rated by means of questionnaire. In the objective measurement, a traction tester device was configured to simulate the movement and evaluate the rotational traction of the three shoes on different surfaces. The subjective test showed a significant difference with respect to comfort and cushioning. The objective measurement in dry conditions showed a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in rotational traction on different surface types; rotational traction in wet conditions was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than in dry conditions.