This article proposes a production method that aims to increase the manufacturing capacity of a footwear small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) to reduce backorders. Therefore, an assessment is carried out and delays in production processes, excess product transport time, defective products, and inefficient work methods are identified. This article proposes designing a Lean manufacturing method using the change management approach, whose methodology is composed of six phases. In phase 0, change management is carried out; in phase 1, the company's current situation is reviewed using the Value Stream Mapping (VSM); in phase 2, the work area is reorganized (implementing SLP and 5S); in phase 3, production is balanced (implementing Line Balancing); in phase 4, continual improvement is established using the Kaizen tool; and finally, in phase 5, the results are evaluated. Through validation, it was possible to confirm that Lean manufacturing tools along with change management increased order deliveries by 82%.

Footwear impression evidence is often recovered at a crime scene and is either in the form of a two dimensional and/or a three-dimensional impression. Two-dimensional impressions occur when a shoe coated with a substance such as dust, blood, or ink, leaves behind a silhouette of the sole on a surface. Three-dimensional impressions contain depth information of the sole patterns that include three-dimensional characteristics that are transferred into a substrate such as dirt, mud, or sand. From these impressions, a sufficient number of identifying characteristics can be identified and used to individualize an impression to a particular footwear on the premise that it is a practical impossibility to have two shoes with the same set of randomly acquired features. This requires the capture of unknown impressions with both photography and casting; however, there are a variety of three-dimensional capture methods that can be employed. By evaluating different materials and techniques on the basis of their permanency, elasticity, and statistical ability to acquire defined identifying characteristics, a more significant comparison of successful methods can be made based on the likelihood ratios of the average occurrence of individualizing characteristics. This provides a powerful description of resolution of one particular method and can rationalize the difference between methods through statistical analysis. This research addresses a conservative statistical model of random occurrence of individual characteristics in a defined area (sole of footwear) by using binomial coefficients to evaluate possible performance discrepancies between field collection techniques and laboratory analysis of alternate materials and methods (alginate, moulage, silicone, thixotropic plastic, polyurethane foam, polymer gypsum mix) in terms of their ability to capture identifying characteristics from impressions made by a reference footwear, and allows a comparison to contemporary forensic methods utilized in the field and laboratory analysis.

Minimal footwear sales have encountered rapid growth over the last several years. Minimal footwear are often constructed with thin basic uppers and thin, flexible midsoles. It is likely that running in minimal footwear will require adaptation and adjustments as the amount of cushioning and the geometry of the foot/ground interface will be substantially different than what many are accustomed to. This research investigated the effect footwear cushioning amount and the running surface had on running patterns. Study 1 (Chapter IV) utilized two different running footwear conditions and two different cushioned treadmill conditions, as well as a barefoot condition, to investigate the effect cushioning magnitude and mode had on running patterns. Subjects ran for six minutes at 3.0 m/s for each footwear/surface condition while kinematics and acceleration data were collected. Study 2 (Chapter V) utilized three footwear conditions as well as a barefoot condition to investigate the effect of running in minimal footwear for the first time. Subjects ran for six minutes at 3.0 m/s while wearing each of the four conditions on an aluminum belt treadmill while kinematic and acceleration data were collected. The three footwear conditions were very similar except for the amount of underfoot material (foam) which varied from very little in the most minimal condition to a typical training footwear amount in the thickest condition. Study 3 (Chapter VI) utilized the same three footwear conditions worn in study 2. Subjects ran for 30 minutes at 3.0 m/s wearing each of the three footwear conditions while kinematic and acceleration data were collected in order to investigate the response to minimal footwear over the course of a sustained run. Results of Study 1 suggest that the amount of underfoot cushioning as well as how that cushioning was applied (footwear vs. surface) were both important and affected adjustments made during the run. The foot was more horizontal, the ankle joint complex more plantar flexed, and the knee more flexed in the sagittal plane at TD when running barefoot compared to all other conditions. Peak acceleration values were reduced for the most cushioned condition compared to all others. The thigh segment was more vertical at TD and peak tibial internal rotation at midstance was reduced when footwear were worn. This indicated cushioning provided through footwear altered running patterns compared to cushioning provided through the surface. More investigation is necessary to fully understand all the factors involved, but our research showed that cushioning magnitude is not the only factor affecting running patterns when footwear or running surface is altered. Some Study 2 dependent variables indicated running patterns to be significantly different for both barefoot and very minimal footwear conditions compared to footwear with thicknesses more similar to typical training footwear. Other dependent variables showed barefoot to separate from all footwear conditions implying that unique strategies were utilized for barefoot running even when compared to minimal footwear providing very little cushioning or protection. Peak accelerations implied that cushioning limited the shock transferred to the tibia and the head. Most coordination measures implied barefoot running to be significantly more variable than running in minimal running shoes. Adaptations due to running in footwear with unknown cushioning characteristics occurred quickly, in as few as six to eight steps. Kinematic adjustments were also occurring later in the six minute run. Study 3 kinematic and acceleration dependent variables indicated adjustments were made to running patterns as a result of changes in the amount of underfoot material. The foot segment was less horizontal and the AJC more dorsiflexed for the thick condition compared to both others. These changes did not completely compensate for changes in underfoot material however, as peak accelerations at the tibia and the head were increased as underfoot material was reduced. Runners were found to adjust running patterns as the thirty minute run progressed regardless of footwear condition. Several kinematic dependent variables were found to significantly increase or decrease as the 30 minute run progressed. In summary, the amount of cushioning and the mode of cushioning were found to effect running patterns. Given these findings, it is not surprising adaptations were found when comparing running in minimal footwear to running in footwear with more typical midsole thicknesses. Cushioning magnitude and the geometry of the foot/ground interface were substantially different between these footwear conditions. Although the thin condition provided almost no cushioning, differences were still shown between barefoot and this condition. Barefoot running may require a unique solution even compared to running in extremely minimal footwear. When runners wore minimal running shoes for the first time, some adaptations occurred quickly; however, adjustments were still occurring much later into the six and 30 minute runs. Runners who purchase minimal footwear can expect changes in running patterns.

Background: In years 2011-2014, 8.6 million sports-related injuries were reported each year and falls have been identified as a main cause. Purpose: To determine the impact of foot type, quadriceps angle, and Vibram™ footwear on postural stability. Methods: Twentyour males (age 21.38±2.50yr; height 1.74±0.06m; mass 71.24±10.37kg) were categorized as pronated, supinated, and neutral feet using FPI and bilateral quadriceps angles were measured. Participants were tested on barefoot, Vibram™ Bikila and Vibram™ Trek (VT), on stable/unstable, bilateral/unilateral, eyes open/closed conditions. Sway variables were analyzed using 3(foot type) × 3(footwear) repeated measures ANOVA. Pearson product correlation was performed for quadriceps angle with sway variables. Results: Footwear main effect significance was evident in all conditions except stable unilateral eyes open condition, with lower values for barefoot followed by VT. Conclusion: Static balance in BF is superior to shod conditions in all situations except the extremely challenging condition, in which VT showed greater balance.

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No description available.

Athletic performance is an important factor to consider when designing athletic footwear. Improvements in agility drill performance can lead to improved sports performance. Changing footwear characteristics can be one way to help improve performance. The design and materialization of the upper of a shoe can impact biomechanical metrics and needs to be further explored during agility movements. Therefore, the first purpose of this study was to investigate the impact that stiffening the upper panel of an athletic shoe could have on agility performance using biomechanical outcome measures that correlate with athletic performance. Stiffening the upper panel significantly altered contact time during the lateral skater jump with the stiffest shoe having the shortest contact time compared to the other two shoe stiffness conditions (p=0.020-0.046). Shoe upper panel stiffness significantly changed peak concentric power in the anterior-posterior drill where the least stiff shoe produced the highest power compared to the stiffest shoe (p=0.006). The same dataset was used to address the second goal of this study which was to model the foot and ankle complex as a system of gears to understand force attenuation and propulsion during agility tasks. Although no differences were found between footwear conditions in gearing, it was shown that modeling the foot and ankle system through gearing can advance our understanding of the impact that footwear changes can have on performance and may be an important outcome measure in future footwear studies. / Master of Science / Athletic performance is an important factor to consider when designing athletic footwear. Through changes in shoe design, it is possible to improve agility drill performance. The design and materials used to construct the upper (top portion of the shoe) of the shoe can change the way an athlete completes a task and therefore, these measures need to be explored during several agility movements. The first goal of this study was to determine the impact of stiffening the upper portion of an athletic shoe on agility performance using outcome measures that are associated with improved athletic performance. Stiffening the upper portion of the shoe altered the contact time during the lateral skater jump with the stiffest shoe having the shortest contact time compared to the other two shoe conditions. Shoe upper panel stiffness also impacted peak concentric power in the anterior-posterior drill where the least stiff shoe produced the highest power compared to the stiffest shoe. The same dataset was used to model the foot and ankle as a system of gears in order to understand how an individual absorbs force and then utilizes force to move the body forward or to the side when completing agility tasks. Although no differences were found between footwear conditions when assessing gearing, it was shown that modeling the foot and ankle system in this way could aid in the understanding of how footwear changes can alter performance.

Background: The most common injuries in new or novice runners include medial tibial stress syndrome and patellofemoral pain syndrome; both overuse injuries. It is known that novice runners use a rearfoot strike pattern 98% of the time while running in traditional running footwear. Furthermore, footwear that is constructed with less cushioning (minimal shoes) and is said to promote forefoot running has increased in popularity. It is still unknown if novice runners convert their strike pattern in minimal shoes or continue to use a rearfoot strike pattern. Consequences of continuing to use a rearfoot strike pattern with less cushioning underfoot include higher vertical loading rates which are directly related to the types of injuries experienced. Aside from the strike pattern in a given shoe, movement stability is an important feature in healthy locomotion. There is a trade-off between being overly stable and being too unstable while running. It is known that the level of experience in running is related to the amount of stride length variability. It is still unknown if altering midsole stiffness has an effect on local dynamic stability while running. Purpose: The primary purpose of this thesis was to compare landing kinematics and kinetics between trained and novice runners in minimal and traditional shoes. The secondary purpose of this thesis was to examine the effect of running experience and midsole construction on local dynamic stability at the ankle, knee and hip. Methods: Twelve trained runners and twelve novice runners were recruited for participation. Four prototypical shoe conditions were tested with midsole geometry and material stiffness being manipulated. This yielded traditional/soft, traditional/hard, minimal/soft and minimal/hard shoe conditions. Participants ran down a 30m indoor runway which was instrumented with force platforms to measure vertical loading rates and motion capture cameras to capture landing kinematics. Participants also ran on a treadmill in each shoe condition to allow for local dynamic stability to be estimated at the ankle, knee and hip in the sagittal plane. Results: Novice runners landed with increased knee extension compared to trained runners. Increasing midsole thickness of the shoes caused an increase in dorsi-flexion of the ankle at heel strike. Manipulating material stiffness did not influence landing kinematics but did influence kinetics. Furthermore, decreasing material stiffness lowered vertical loading rates. Trained runners exhibited increased local dynamic stability (more stable) at the ankle, knee and hip compared to novice runners. Local dynamic stability was not affected by midsole stiffness. Conclusions: Novice runners did not alter their strike pattern in minimally constructed shoes. For this reason, cushioning properties of the shoe dictated vertical loading rates upon the body. Shoe conditions did not alter landing kinematics above the ankle, which is where the between group differences existed as novice runners landed with a more extended knee. Running experience appears to play a role in knee orientation at landing and is unaffected by shoe condition. Local dynamic stability was affected by running experience and does not appear to be related to the shoe condition being worn. Even when kinematics changed across shoe conditions, the stability of the movement did not.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Duke University, 1990. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [1]-14, 2nd group).

The professional auto body painter works in an extreme environment, where the painter faces constant movement, ever-changing working situations and pressure to deliver a flawless paint job: the paint booth. The temperature in the paint booth is high, often around 30˚ Celsius. The floor is very hard, made of metal grid or concrete, and the painter usually has to move around a lot, at least 9 km per day. For this project I chose to focus on the painter’s work footwear as a major part of the personal protective equipment. My goal is to create a new standard in working shoes, specifically made for this environment and context. A comfortable shoe that could withstand heat, paint dust and wear. A shoe that is made for its users: the FRM AIRCON.