This presentation gives a knowledge about parts and different types of athletic shoes and how to modify it according to the conditions and necessity.

1. ATHLETIC SHOES &
MODIFICATIONS
PRESENTED BY
PALAS PRAMANICK
MPT SPORTS PHYSIOTHERAPY – 2ND
YEAR

2. . The Vamp is the portion of the shoe covering the forefoot. The remainder of the
upper covering is referred to as inside and outside quarters.
.Featherline is where the upper meets the sole of the shoe. Traditionally, the
vamp is constructed from one piece of material minimizing the number of seams.
. The upper starts as one large piece, usually nylon. Leather, or synthetic leather-
like materials, is added as reinforcement in needed areas.
. The eyelet forms the throat of the shoe acting as the anchor for lacing.
. The Tongue is a padded piece that lies beneath the lacing to provide cushioning
to the top of the foot against the pressure of the laces.
. The reinforcement sewn on the upper at the level of the arch is to help support
the eyelet.
. Reinforcement on the outside is known as Saddle.
. Reinforcement on the inside of the upper is known as the Arch Bandage.

3. . Foxing is the suede covering at the back of the shoe.
. The Toe box is the front of the upper that has leather overlay known as a wing
tip.
. The padded vinyl or stretch nylon that covers the upper where there is contact of
the foot just below the ankle to the shoe is called the Collar. The collar has a
projection that comes up above the heel to help protect the Achilles tendon from
irritation.
. The heel counter is at the back of the shoe surrounding the heel of the foot. Heel
counters are firm and inflexible to prevent excessive motion during running. It
helps to hold the foot in place.
. The bottom of the athletic shoe is made up of three main components: midsole,
wedge, and outsole.

4. . The midsole lies between the upper and both the outsole and the wedge. Its purpose is
for shock absorption, attenuation, and dampening.
. The more cushioning, the less stability while the softer the midsole materials, the
less stability. This makes the midsole one of the most important components of the
running shoe.
. The heel wedge lies between the midsole and the outsole at the rear of the shoe. It
helps with both heel impact and shock attenuation and provides a heel lift.
. The outsole is the layer that contacts the ground. Its main purpose is durability and
traction. It helps determine the amount of torsion rigidity and flexibility of a shoe.
. There is an insole board on top of the midsole that is found in most shoes.
. The sock liner covers the insole board. Different materials for wicking and
comfort are used to line the inside of the shoe.

5. . Today, the most common midsole material now is a type of foam
called ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). It provides cushioning, increases
shock absorption, and decreases shearing.
. Polyurethane (PU), another form of polymer, resists compression
and is more durable than EVA, but is heavier and harder.
. EVA impregnated with solid rubber can improve the resistance to
compression and have a quicker rebound.
. Wedges are also known as medial post. The wedge helps reduce
overpronation in running and increases stability on the inner part of
the shoe.

6. . Wedges are often made from a material with higher density foam or
thermal plastic unit to prevent the medial arch from collapsing.
. Rubber has been the material of choice for the outsole because it is
both soft and
durable.
. The outsole is usually made from blown rubber and carbon rubber.
Blown rubber is air-injected rubber, making the outsole lighter and
softer to provide cushioning and flexibility.

7. . Carbon rubber is both light and the most durable type of rubber.
. The shape and design of the outsole is an important factor in
determining what kind of control runners need. “ The straighter the
shoe, the more motion control it offers”, so it is usually for those with a
pes planus foot type.
. Slightly and semi-curved outsoles have less motion control and are for
those with a more “normal” foot type.
. Curved outsoles are in neutral shoes, allowing for no motion control,
so this type of running shoe is generally for sprinters and can give
supinators more cushion.

8. . The insole board is stable and flexible. It should serve as a rigid base for
the shoe, but flexible enough to allow the foot some movement once in the
shoe. It is made of cellulose fibers.
. The Sockliner is the layer that lies between the foot and the insole board.
Its principle functions are to absorb perspiration, energy absorption, and
comfort.
. Sockliners also need to generate enough friction to prevent the foot
from sliding inside the shoe.
. Terrycloth lining works well for wicking away perspiration. Velour
has also been used as a sockliner because it creates friction.

9. COMPONENTS OF ATHLETIC SHOE
UPPER & LOWER PARTS OF ATHLETIC SHOE

10. CLINICAL ASSESSMENT OF ATHLETIC SHOES
1. Fit :
. In shoes with higher quality, each width is made on a different last meaning that the
bottom will proportionally fit the upper. Therefore, a wider shoe is truly a wider shoe
including the sole. For wide feet this is important because this will keep the foot from
hanging over the sides of a sole that is too narrow.
2. Insoles :
. Padding the insoles with additional cushioning can help absorb extra room inside a shoe that
would be otherwise considered loose.
. If the individual wears custom orthotic devices, having the ability to remove the insole is very
helpful.
3. Forefoot Flexibility :
. Bend the shoe while holding the heel and forefoot. The flex point of the shoe should match
the flex point of the foot. The shoe, just like the foot, should bend at the ball of the foot. For
optimal shoe and foot function, it is necessary for the foot and the shoe to work together.

11. . If the shoe bends anywhere but at the ball of the foot, this is not
mechanically advantageous for the foot to function optimally.
4. Midfoot Sagittal Stability :
. Bending the shoe between your hands is the test to determine the sagittal stability.
If the shoe bends in the middle instead of the ball of the foot, the shoe is considered
to be poorly constructed and one that should not be recommended.
5. Midfoot Frontal Stability :
. If a particular foot is very flexible in the frontal plane meaning that there is a lot
of inversion and eversion occurring, frontal stability of the shoe is important.
. If the shoe has poor frontal stability, then the shoe will not offer the
stability required by the foot and injury risk may be increased.

12. 6.Lateral Midsole Heel Cushion :
. If the shoe is too soft this can present problems and actually contribute to
injury in the foot or even the knee.
7.Medial Midsole Heel Density :
. If the material wrinkles that means that it is unable to rebound from the
repeated compression that occurs with each step. When assessing this
portion of the shoe, one will note whether it is of uniform density between
medial and lateral.
8. Heel Counter :
. If the foot has a tendency to either invert at heel strike or pronate
excessively during mid-stance, the heel counter will do very little to eliminate
the extra motion from occurring.

13. 9. Outsole Surface Area :
. If the sole tapers at the midfoot or even follows the
contour of the arch, this can be a negative characteristic as
far as providing support. The more surface area in contact
with the ground the more support the shoe offers the foot.

14. Heel counter stability. Squeeze the heel to determine the
amount of stability or flexibility
Midfoot torsional stability (shank rigidity). Twist the shoe while grasping the
heel and forefoot to determine the amount of stability or flexibility

15. Forefoot flexional stability. The shoe should flex at the
metatarsophalangeal joint, not further proximal through the
midfoot.

16. ATHLETIC SHOE FIT & MODIFICATIONS
1. Size :
. Size is the first thing one usually considers in fitting shoes.
. When correctly fit, there should be approximately ½”–5/8” space between the end
of the longest toe and the end of the shoe.
. The shoe should be wide enough such that the foot does not bulge out on the lateral
side but not so wide that excess material can be pinched on top.
2. Shape :
. Most feet demonstrate a medium height arch, mild amount of curvature in the
transverse plane, and a broad forefoot. Such feet are best fit in shoes made on
what is sometimes referred to as a Universal or SL1 shaped lasts.

17. . Feet that have low-to-flat arches require ample breadth in the midsection of the shoe.
These feet are best accommodated with shoes made from what is sometimes referred to
as linear shape lasts.
3. Stability :
. To determine a shoe’s stability, squeeze the sides of the heel counter, the rear part of the shoe.
Stable shoes resist compression. Additionally, hold the shoe by the heel and at the toes and give it a
twist. Torsionally stable shoes resist twisting; flexible shoes twist easily.
. Stability shoes are recommended for athletes who are mild-to-moderate overpronators and who
have low-to-normal arches. These athletes tend to need a shoe with a combination of good support
and midsole cushioning.
. Motion control shoes are recommended for athletes with low arches who are moderate-to-severe
overpronators who need maximum rearfoot control and extra support on the medial side of their
shoes.
. Supportive features include aggressive stabilization at the medial heel to reign in and convert
the inward rolling of the foot and a wider base to provide stable support. This type shoe is also best
for larger athletes who need support and durability.

18. Shoe Modifications
. The amount that can be comfortably added depends on the shoe style. Tassel loafer
may only allow ¼” beneath the heel, while high top athletic shoes may allow the
addition of as much as a full inch. If additional lift is required beyond that which fits
inside the shoe, it needs to be added outside as an external shoe modification.
. The first way to relieve pressure beneath a planar prominence is via an orthotic forefoot
accommodation.
. Additional pressure can be relieved by carving out the midsole, from the inside of
the shoe, specifically beneath the plantar prominence.
. Rocker bottoms offer an effective way to both relieve submetatarsal pressure and
provide sagittal plane motion where such motion in the ankle, subtalar, midtarsal,
or metatarsophalangeal joints may be limited.

19. . Rocker bottom soles are created by adding increased thickness
to the shoe midsole beneath the heel, beneath the ball, and then
tapering it to the toes. A typical thickness is ½”.
. The rocker bottom allows the shoe to roll forward,
maintaining a normal pattern of gait, without requiring sagittal
plan dorsiflexion of the foot. It can limit motion when such
motion is painful and compensate for a lack of motion with
joint motion is restricted

20. TYPES OF SHOES
USED IN
DIFFERENT SPORTS

21. road racingflat shoe
CROSS COUNTRY + TRACK & FIELD
SHOES
JUMPING
SHOES
SHOES FOR THROWING
SPORTS

22. Road cycling shoe engaged with pedal

23. Football shoes with newer evolved
plastic lower profile oval cleats
versus the traditional metal
elongated cleats
Soccer shoes showing molded
cleats

24. Basketball shoes must allow for
running, jumping, and lateral
movement, while providing lateral
stability to the subtalar and ankle joints.
Volleyball shoes with low-cut
below the malleoli

25. DANCING
SHOES
Men’s molded cleat
Baseball shoe.

26. THANK YOU