Gender and age related requirements of running shoes: a questionnaire on 4501 runners

The present results of foot circumference measurements show changes during ROP which correspond to more than one shoe size. Previous studies on static foot shape, already demonstrated the scope of objective measurements to optimize last construction by considering different foot types (Mauch et al. 2009). The precise description of change in technical measurements could provide additional information for last designers to decide about last geometry in a more objective way. These results and previously reported changes in foot structure indicate a high relevance of investigating dynamic foot behaviour. Whereas static foot measurements can only explore foot shape during a single moment, the proposed technique is suitable to describe total foot deformity during walking. Circumferences can be assessed automatically without attaching markers. Further investigation will focus on implementing the knowledge about dynamic foot behaviour in last and shoe construction. First application areas will be in children’s shoes and safety shoes.