Data at Every Step: How Plantar Pressure Mapping Shapes Sports Footwear Design

Footwear is a key factor in human performance, and footwear evaluation is a regular element of comprehensive biomechanical assessment in sports.

Different sports require different movement types, directions, speeds of execution, energy absorption, and force transmission, so shoes should reflect these demands and provide the necessary foundation for performance.

Designing a sports shoe is a delicate and complex process. It involves carefully selecting materials and designs to optimize qualities such as cushioning, support, stiffness, and heel drop. Plantar pressure insoles can play an essential role in the design and testing phases of sports footwear development.

Sports Shoe Design Process

The design process for sports and running shoes involves multiple steps, with each quality contributing to the final product's performance, comfort, and durability. Key aspects to be evaluated include:

Cushioning

Cushioning technology aims to reduce impact forces, enhance performance, and prevent injuries by affecting how shock is absorbed during foot contact.

Activities like running, jumping, or cutting involve varying levels of impact on the feet and lower limbs. Effective cushioning helps absorb energy, distribute pressure more evenly, and reduce strain on muscles, joints, and bones.

Stiffness

Stiffness refers to the shoe's resistance to bending and flexing. It's primarily influenced by the materials used in the midsole and outsole, as well as the overall design.

A stiffer shoe offers less flexibility but more resistance at push-off and better elastic recoil, making it ideal for short runs at higher speeds and intensities.

Support

Support refers to structural features that stabilize and protect the foot during movement. It includes elements like the midsole, arch support, heel counter, and external stabilizers—all of which contribute to balance, cushioning, and alignment.

Heel Height (Heel Drop)

Heel drop is the elevation of the heel relative to the forefoot, measured in millimeters. Depending on the duration and intensity of activity, different heel heights can affect striking patterns.

These design elements are key to developing high-performance running shoes that meet the needs of both professional and amateur athletes.

The Role of Plantar Pressure Mapping Technology

Depending on the type of shoe and the sport-specific requirements, a biomechanical analysis during the design phase can determine whether a shoe component meets the discipline's performance needs.

Plantar pressure mapping is extremely valuable during both design and development. Using in-shoe pressure mapping insoles, designers can observe what's happening inside the shoe—capturing the interaction between the foot, shoe, and ground.

This objective data provides insights into key performance metrics such as peak pressure, pressure distribution, and center of pressure trails. As a result, designers can assess the effectiveness of cushioning, stiffness, support, and heel height.

To learn more, watch our webinar, Data-Driven Footwear Design (Part 1): Validating Shoe Performance with Plantar Pressure Mapping, to understand the use of plantar pressure mapping in footwear design.