THE EFFECTS OF SUSPENSION FUNCTION OF HIKING BOOTS ON THE STABILITY OF THE FOOT

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of suspension function of hiking boot on the stability of foot. 8 participants free from injury to the triceps surae muscle group in recent years and able to perform jumping participated in this test. 2-D kinematic analysis and kinetic analysis were conducted for the data acquisition. The maximum suspension angle of suspension boot was greater than that of normal boot for eversion condition; on the contrary the maximum loading rate of normal boot was greater than that of suspension boot for inversion condition. These results meant that the suspension function helps the boot keep stable shortly after landing through the control of rearfoot angle. Moreover, if we apply a lower threshold level at medial part of boot, suspension function will show its ability even though at medial landing. It was concluded that an improved suspension function may help to reduce fatigue and prevent injury such as ankle sprain in hiking on uneven surface