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A visual history of the world's most coveted and popular footwear, from early Keds and Converse All Stars to the latest fashion and design icons. Every sneaker has a story to tell, and this encyclopedic book features full-color images of the sneakers that have most influenced global sneaker culture with examples to engage sneaker aficionados of all stripes. This book comprehensively showcases sneakers through time from early Air Jordans, the original Air Force 1, and Adidas Superstars to iconic contemporary designs by pop culture figures like Kanye West and cool fashion designers like Yohji Yamamoto and Martin Margiela. Every angle is covered with legendary sneakers, groundbreaking designs, and technical advancements, as well as the athletes and celebrities who made the shoe famous. The book features detailed reference sections for collectors, histories of leading brands and designers, and anecdotes, making this book the perfect gift for sports, design, and street fashion enthusiasts alike.

Physical fatigue and pronated feet constitute two risk factors for running-related lower limb injuries. Accordingly, different running shoe companies designed anti-pronation shoes with medial support to limit over pronation in runners. However, there is little evidence on the effectiveness and clinical relevance of anti-pronation shoes. This study examined lower limb kinematics and kinetics in young female runners with pronated feet during running with anti-pronation versus regular (neutral) running shoes in unfatigued and fatigued condition. Twenty-six female runners aged 24.1±5.6 years with pronated feet volunteered to participate in this study. Kinetic (3D Kistler force plate) and kinematic analyses (Vicon motion analysis system) were conducted to record participants' ground reaction forces and joint kinematics when running with anti-pronation compared with neutral running shoes. Physical fatigue was induced through an individualized submaximal running protocol on a motorized treadmill using rate of perceived exertion and heart rate monitoring. The statistical analyses indicated significant main effects of \"footwear\" for peak ankle inversion, peak ankle eversion, and peak hip internal rotation angles (p<0.03; d = 0.46-0.95). Pair-wise comparisons revealed a significantly greater peak ankle inversion angle (p<0.03; d = 0.95; 2.70°) and smaller peak eversion angle (p<0.03; d = 0.46; 2.53°) when running with anti-pronation shoes compared with neutral shoes. For kinetic data, significant main effects of \"footwear\" were found for peak ankle dorsiflexor moment, peak knee extensor moment, peak hip flexor moment, peak hip extensor moment, peak hip abductor moment, and peak hip internal rotator moment (p<0.02; d = 1.00-1.79). For peak positive hip power in sagittal and frontal planes and peak negative hip power in horizontal plane, we observed significant main effects of \"footwear\" (p<0.03; d = 0.92-1.06). Pairwise comparisons revealed that peak positive hip power in sagittal plane (p<0.03; d = 0.98; 2.39 w/kg), peak positive hip power in frontal plane (p = 0.014; d = 1.06; 0.54 w/kg), and peak negative hip power in horizontal plane (p<0.03; d = 0.92; 0.43 w/kg) were greater with anti-pronation shoes. Furthermore, the statistical analyses indicated significant main effects of \"Fatigue\" for peak ankle inversion, peak ankle eversion, and peak knee external rotation angles. Pair-wise comparisons revealed a fatigue-induced decrease in peak ankle inversion angle (p<0.01; d = 1.23; 2.69°) and a fatigue-induced increase in peak knee external rotation angle (p<0.05; d = 0.83; 5.40°). In addition, a fatigue-related increase was found for peak ankle eversion (p<0.01; d = 1.24; 2.67°). For kinetic data, we observed a significant main effect of \"Fatigue\" for knee flexor moment, knee internal rotator moment, and hip extensor moment (p<0.05; d = 0.83-1.01). The statistical analyses indicated significant a main effect of \"Fatigue\" for peak negative ankle power in sagittal plane (p<0.01; d = 1.25). Finally, we could not detect any significant footwear by fatigue interaction effects for all measures of joint kinetics and kinematics. Running in anti-pronation compared with neutral running shoes produced lower peak moments and powers in lower limb joints and better control in rear foot eversion. Physical fatigue increased peak moments and powers in lower limb joints irrespective of the type of footwear.

Did you know that sneakers have been around in one form or another since the mid-1800s? Or that the largest sneaker collection held 2,500 pairs? Those are just some of the fascinating tidbits kids will discover in 10 Fascinating Facts About Sneakers.

For those who love sports, not only appearance but also functionality are important considerations in the design of athletic shoes. This is a study done on 12 subjects on a college fencing team and other sports teams. The subjects wear experimental specialized athletic shoes, including fencing shoes and other similar athletic shoes. Five kinds of shoes, fencing shoes plus four other similar types of athletic shoes, were examined for their shock absorption and rebound capacities. No significant difference between was found among them in the lunge test. However, there were significant differences between the two types of shoes in the 15 cm and 35 cm jump-down tests and extra heel support silicone gaskets in the fencing-like shoes tests. The fencing shoes proved to be the worst in terms of rebound ability in the 35 cm jump-down test. The fencing shoes had the best shock absorption but the worst rebound ability. In terms of overall performance, fencing shoes had the best shock absorption capacity. It is advisable for fencing shoes to be required during fencing training and at tournaments, but the severity of bounces, jumps, and squats should be lowered to avoid damage to the heel.

\"Did you know... that Nike icon Michael Jordan was once a huge Adidas fan? ...that Puma and Adidas were started by rival brothers? ...that New Balance was founded by a chicken farmer? ...or that the US basketball team won seven consecutive Olympic gold medals in Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars? Favorites like the Adidas Stan Smith, Nike Air Jordan and Puma Suede are worn by millions as everyday footwear but were originally born to bring victory on court, track and field. Golden Kicks reveals the stories behind some of the greatest shoes in sporting history, the roles they played in sport's greatest moments and how they have made the transition from classic sportswear to mainstream streetwear, with almost everyone now owning a pair\"--Provided by publisher.

This systematic review, registered in PROSPERO (CRD42025101243), aimed to evaluate how specific badminton shoe design features influence lower-limb biomechanics, injury risk, and sport-specific performance. A comprehensive search in six databases yielded 445 studies, from which 10 met inclusion criteria after duplicate removal and eligibility screening. The reviewed studies focused on modifications involving forefoot bending stiffness, torsional stiffness, lateral-wedge hardness, insole and midsole hardness, sole structure, and heel curvature. The most consistent biomechanical benefits were associated with moderate levels of forefoot and torsional stiffness (e.g., 60D) and rounded heel designs. Increased forefoot bending stiffness was associated with reduced foot torsion and knee loading during forward lunges. Torsional stiffness around 60D provided favorable ankle support and reduced knee abduction, suggesting potential protection against ligament strain. Rounded heels reduced vertical impact forces and promoted smoother knee–ankle coordination, especially in experienced athletes. Lateral-wedge designs improved movement efficiency by reducing contact time and enhancing joint stiffness. Harder midsoles, however, resulted in increased impact forces upon landing. Excessive stiffness in any component may restrict joint mobility and responsiveness. Studies included 127 male-dominated (aged 18–28) competitive athletes, assessing kinematics, impact forces, and coordination during sport-specific tasks. The reviewed studies predominantly involved male participants, with little attention to sex-specific biomechanical differences such as joint alignment and foot structure. Differences in testing methods and movement tasks further limited direct comparisons. Future research should explore real-game biomechanics, include diverse athlete populations, and investigate long-term adaptations. These efforts will contribute to the development of performance-enhancing, injury-reducing badminton shoes tailored to the unique demands of the sport.

Sneaker aficionados and collectors fuel the growth of homegrown sneaker brands across South Africa, and the need to create more digital infrastructure is top of mind for tech companies.

Shows how basketball shoes are made.

This review aims to synthesize and discuss the potential effects of a stack height modification on the function of the different footwear features and their effects on running performance. Peer-reviewed studies were identified from electronic databases using a structured keyword search and a screening process. Complementary sources were used to illustrate and discuss the current racing footwear constructions. With regard to the shoe mass, it is suggested that a stack height difference of 20 mm could induce a meaningful effect on performance. With respect to the midsole properties, it seems that reducing the stack height does not alter the energy returned, given that the lower midsole deformation is counteracted with an increased stiffness. However, it should be noted that this might affect the timing of the midsole deformation and restitution, which should be matched with the mid and propulsive stance phases. Lastly, the curved geometry of the forefoot sole needed to create the teeter-totter effect could be affected by the stack height reduction. However, current racing footwear designs have counteracted this modification by proximately placing the rocker axis and increasing the toe spring.