Biomechanical Analysis of the Non-slip Shoes for Older People

Fall is very fatal accident causes death to older people. Shoe may affect to fall. Shoe influences risk of slips, trips, and falls by altering somatosensory feedback to the foot. The purpose of this study was to investigate the analysis of non-slip shoes for older people and influence on older people`s lower extremity. For this study twenty three healthy older people were recruited. Each subjects walked over slippery surfaces (COF 0.08). Four pairs of non-slip shoes (shoe A had the greatest COF, 0.23 while shoe B, C, and D had smaller COF relatively) for older people were selected and tested mechanical and biomechanical experiment. For data collection motion capture and ground reaction forces were synchronized. There were statistically significant differences for slip-displacement, coefficient of friction, braking force, propulsion force, knee range of motion and knee joint stiffness by shoes. It was concluded that shoe A was the best for non-slip function because of the lowest slip displacement, the highest braking and propulsion forces, and the highest mechanical and biomechanical coefficient of friction where as shoe B, C, D were identified as a negative effect on the knee joint than shoe A. To prevent fall and slip, older people have to take a appropriate non-slip shoes such as shoe A.