ASTM F1833-97

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An American National Standard
Designation: F 1833 – 97
Standard Test Method for
Comparison of Rearfoot Motion Control Properties of
Running Shoes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 1833; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
During a typical running step, the foot first makes contact with the ground on the rear lateral border
of the shoe. At first contact between the foot and the ground, the foot is normally in a supinated or
neutral position relative to the lower leg. During the first 50 to 150 ms of the period of ground contact,
the foot rotates about the ankle and subtalar joints to a more pronated position. Pronation is a
combination of eversion and abduction of the subtalar joint and dorsiflexion of the ankle joint.
Excessive pronation and possibly an excessive rate of pronation are believed to be risk factors in
common overuse injuries among runners. Other risk factors include a runner’s anatomical predispo-
sition, (for example, joint alignment, bone curvature, joint laxity) previous injury history and training
errors (for example, a sudden increase in the duration or intensity of training). Running shoes have
been shown to influence pronation. Shoe design factors which have produced measurable effects on
lower extremity motion under laboratory conditions include sole hardness, sole height and width, sole
geometry and the presence or absence of orthotics and stabilizing devices.
1. Scope 1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
standard. The inch-pound units given in parentheses are for
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of certain
information only.
angular motions of the lower extremity during running, spe-
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
cifically, the frontal plane projection of the pronation and
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
supination of the lower leg relative to the foot (“rearfoot
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
motion”) and methods by which the effects of different running
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
shoes on rearfoot motion may be compared.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.2 As used in this test method, footwear may refer to
running shoes, corrective shoe inserts (orthoses) or specific
2. Referenced Documents
combinations of both. The effects of orthoses may vary from
2.1 ASTM Standards:
shoe to shoe. Therefore, comparisons involving orthoses shall
F 539 Practice for the Fitting of Athletic Footwear
be qualified by the specific style of shoes in which they are
F 869 Terminology Relating to Athletic Shoes and Biome-
tested.
chanics
1.3 This test method is limited to the measurement of the
two dimensional, frontal plane projection of the relative
3. Terminology
angular motion between the lower leg and the foot (“rearfoot
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
motion”). It is not a direct measure of pronation or supination,
3.1.1 ankle joint—the joint between lower leg and foot
which are three dimensional motions.
formedbythearticulationsofthetibiaandfibulawiththetalus.
1.4 This test method is limited to running motions in which
3.1.2 footstrike—initial contact between the foot and the
the heel makes first contact with the ground during each step.
ground at the beginning of the stance phase.
1.5 This test method is applicable to measurements of
3.1.3 maximum rearfoot angle—maximum value of the
rearfoot motion made while subjects run on a treadmill or
rearfoot angle recorded during the stance phase.
while they run overground under controlled conditions.
3.1.4 peak angular velocity—maximum rate of change of
the rearfoot angle between footstrike and the occurrence of
maximum rearfoot angle.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F-8 on Sports
Equipment and Facilitiesand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F08.54on
Athletic Footwear.
Current edition approved Nov. 10, 1997. Published August 1998. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.07.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
F 1833
3.1.5 pronation—three dimensional motion of the foot rela- 6. Apparatus
tive to the lower leg, combining eversion an abduction of the
6.1 Running Surface:
subtalar joint an dorsiflexion of the ankle joint.
6.1.1 Treadmill—A powered treadmill shall be used.
3.1.6 rearfoot angle—the angle between the lower leg and
6.1.2 Runway—The runway used for overground running
the heel, viewed from the posterior aspect and projected in the
trials shall be a level surface with a minimum length of 15 m
frontal plane.
(50 ft).
3.1.7 rearfoot motion—relative motion of the heel and
6.2 Means of Determining Running Speed:
lower leg during the stance phase.
6.2.1 A Calibrated Treadmill Speed Indicator—For tread-
3.1.8 stance phase—the period of a running step during
mill running, a calibrated means of determining the speed of
which the foot is in contact with the ground.
the treadmill belt.
3.1.9 subtalar joint—alternative name for the talocalcaneal
6.2.2 Timing Apparatus—For overground running, a timing
joint.
apparatus shall be used to determine the elapsed time over a
3.1.10 supination—threedimensionalmotionofthethefoot distance of 5 m (16 ft) with an accuracy of 65 %. The average
relative to the lower leg, combining inversion and adduction of
running speed, v, of the subject shall be determined by v = s/t
the subtalar joint and plantar flexion of the ankle joint. where s is the distance traversed and t is the elapsed time.
3.1.11 talocalcaneal joint—thejointformedbyarticulations
NOTE 2—Anacceptabletimingapparatuscanbeconstructedusinglight
between the talus and the calcaneus.
beams, photocell detectors and an electronic timer. Two light beam/
3.1.12 time to maximum rearfoot angle—elapsed time be- photocell detector units are positioned at head level and place 5 m (16ft)
apart and on either side of test track on which rearfoot motion data will be
tween footstrike and the occurrence of maximum rearfoot
recorded. The photocell circuit is connected to the electronic timer so that
angle.
breaking of the first beam starts the timer. Breaking of the second beam
3.1.13 total rearfoot motion—difference between the maxi-
stops the timer, which thus records the elapsed time.
mum rearfoot angle and touchdown angle.
6.3 High Speed Camera System—A cinephotographic or
3.1.14 touchdown angle—value of the rearfoot angle at the
video camera or other optical system capable of tracking the
instant of contact between the foot and the ground during a
motions of the lower leg at a minimum frame rate or sample
running step.
rate of 200/s. If no derivatives are to be calculated, a minimum
frame rate or sample rate of 100/s is permissible
4. Summary of Test Method
NOTE 3—The minimum sample rate is based on the spectral composi-
4.1 The rearfoot angle is defined by reference to markers
-1
tion of rearfoot motion at running speed of 3.8 ms (8.5 mph). Tests
placed on the lower leg and heel of the human subjects. While
conducted at higher running speeds may require higher minimum sample
subjects run on a treadmill or overground the motion of the
rates.
lower leg is recorded using a high-speed camera system
positioned behind the subject and aligned with the subject’s 6.4 Image Analysis Equipment—Apparatus for determining
direction of motion. The time history of the rearfoot angle the coordinates of markers on images from the high speed
during the stance phase of running is determined by frame-by- camera system, such as a digitizer, video processor or optical
frame analysis of the recorded motion.This process is repeated tracking system. The camera and image analysis equipment
for each subject running in each of two or more footwear shall have a combined resolution such that the angle formed by
specimens. For each combination of subject and specimen, leg and shoe specimen markers in a two dimensional plane
average values of maximum rearfoot angle, time to maximum normal to the axis of the camera can be determined with an
rearfoot angle, total rearfoot motion and peak angular velocity error of less than 60.5°.
are calculated. Analysis of variance is used to determine
NOTE 4—Greatest accuracy is achieved if the centroid of a marker is
whether there are significant differences in rearfoot motion
digitized. The use of large markers may decrease digitizing accuracy.
parameter between the specimens.
7. Specimens
5. Significance and Use
7.1 Acceptability—The specimens may be any kind of
5.1 This test method allows the rearfoot control properties footwear appropriate for use in or as a running shoe. The
of running shoes or corrective orthoses within shoes to be
specimensshallbeintheformofmatchedpairs(leftandright).
compared provided they are tested concurrently and under
7.1.1 Shoes—The specimens shall form matched pairs (left
identical conditions.
and right). All specimens shall be of the same size.
5.2 Tests of this type are commonly used in the develop- 7.1.2 Orthoses and In-Shoe Devices—The specimens shall
ment and performance testing of running shoes and other
be in the form of matched pairs (left and right). All in-shoe
in-shoe devices. Careful adherence to the requirements and device comparisons shall be made using devices in the same
recommendationsofthistestshallprovideresultswhichcanbe
pair of shoes worn by the same subjects.
compared between different laboratories.
7.2 Number of Specimens—Twoormorespecimensshallbe
comparedinanytrial.Themaximumnumberofspecimensthat
NOTE 1—The variance in rearfoot motion due to differences between
can be compared is limited by the number of subjects required
shoes is generally smaller than the variance between subjects. Direct
to achieve acceptable statistical power.
comparisonsbetweenshoestestedindifferentexperimentsisthereforenot
possible. 7.3 Number of Subjects:
F 1833
7.3.1 The number of subjects shall be a minimum of four enced treadmill runners, a minimum of one 20 min period of
times the number of specimens. treadmill acclimatization training should be held prior to data
collection.
7.3.2 If specimens are to be presented to subjects in a
balanced order, the number of subjects shall be a multiple of
NOTE 8—During treadmill acclimatization training, start subject(s) at a
the number of shoes to be compared.
slower pace and the speed gradually increased until the speed is slightly
below or a the test speed. The duration and number of practice sessions
8. Conditioning of Specimens depends on the comfort of the subject with treadmill running. Some
indication of the degree of comfort with treadmill running are seen in hip
8.1 Condition specimens by being used for a minimum of 8
flexion and stride length.
km (5 miles) of running prior to testing.
NOTE 9—Subjects should wear their own shoes (that is, not test
specimens) during treadmill acclimatization training.
NOTE 5—The cushioning and stability of running shoes change rapidly
during the first few miles of use. These characteristics stabilize after
9.3 Marker Placement:
approximately 5 miles (8 km) of running (3500 footfalls) and then change
9.3.1 Leg Markers—Place markers on the rear of each
less over the next 250 miles (400 km) of wear.
subject’s lower leg, at least 20 cm apart. Center lower marker
on the Achilles tendon. Place the top marker below the
9. Procedure
gastronemius, and orient so that the transverse vertical plane
9.1 Experimental Design:
projection of a line connecting the two markers is parallel to
9.1.1 Conduct the test as an experiment with a repeated
the transverse vertical plane projection of the axis of a lower
measures, within-subject design.
leg (see Fig. 1).
9.1.2 It is recommended that the order in which specimens
NOTE 10—Clarke et al (3) describe the use of an apparatus for placing
are presented to each subject should be balanced, not random-
the markers in a repeatable manner. Specifically, a jig is used to find the
ized.Abalanced order of presentation requires that the number
geometric center of the knee joint. Markers are then centered on a line
of subjects must be a multiple of n!(n factorial) where n is the
joining the knee joint center and the center of theAchilles tendon.The use
number of shoes to be tested. If it is not practicable to use a
of this test method is recommended.
balanced order of presentation, use randomized order of
9.3.2 Specimen Markers—Place markers on the midline of
presentation.
the rear of each specimen, a minimum of 5 cm apart, such that
NOTE 6—The statistical power of the test may be improved if a
the line joining the centroids of the two markers are perpen-
balanced order is used.
dicular to the plane of the sole of the shoe (see Fig. 1).
9.4 Standing Calibration—In order to correct for differ-
9.2 Subjects:
ences in marker positioning between subjects, determine a
9.2.1 Humans Subjects/Ethics Committee Approval—
calibration angle for each subject measuring the value of the
Obtain the approval of all administrative bodies having juris-
rearfoot while the subject is standing in a neutral position. For
diction over the use of human subjects in the laboratory or
the purposes of this test method, the neutral position is defined
institution where the test is to be performed before any part of
as standing with the medial edges of the shoe heels 5 cm (2 in)
the test is begun.
apart and the feet abducted 7°.
9.2.2 Informed Consent—Obtain the informed consent of
all human subjects shall in compliance with the American
NOTE 11—When calculating rearfoot angles, subtract the calibration
College of Sports Medicine’s “Policy Statement Regarding
angle from the recorded data.
The Use Of Human Subjects and Informed Consent” (1) NOTE 12—Clarke et al (3) have described a simple jig for controlling
the position of the feet while the calibration angle is recorded.
current at the time of the test.
9.2.3 Shoe Size—The running shoe size of choice for all test
9.5 Accommodation Period—All subjects should have a
subjects shall be the same. Measure size for all subjects with a
warm-up period of approximately 2 min on the treadmill or 10
Brannock device and reported to the nearest half size (Practice
to 15 trials overground. The subjects should run at a speed less
F 539.)
than test speed.
9.6 Control of Running Speed—Select a single running
NOTE 7—Lower Extremity Evaluation— In order to establish relation-
speed and use for
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