Illumin Magazine



Xiao HuWRIT 340Professor RamseyBasketball Shoe Technology: The Soul of Mobility and ComfortWith the popularity of Basketball expoentally increasing, so too has the the demand for basketball shoes. The original athletic and player driven demand for a shoe designed with optimal functionality regarding athletic performance has transcended athleticism and entered pop culture through the demand of a shoe designs with optimal functionality regarding comfort and accessibility. Thus despite their original intention, basketball shoes have obtained two major designs for optimal functionality and have become a staple for the athlete as well as the average American all while maintain specifically engineered technology within the shoes’ specific design; whether for athleticism or everyday comfort wear. This technology is often forgotten yet the engineering design of the basketball shoe relies on its chosen optimal function: athlete or average person. When designing the shoe, engineers desire to reach “optimal functionality”: the key to any design’s current marketability. Marketability: 1. To provide maximum comfort through utilizing a breathable and lightweight material. 2. To prevent injury through creating added support. Optimal Functionality: Athletics In order to increase an athlete’s performance level, his probability of obtaining injuries must to be decreased. Thus engineers design a show through critical analysis of the athlete’s foot structure and kinesiology. The chosen design would feature an added support structure. Optimal functionality is achieved through technological advancements in research and design all while maintaining maximum comfort for the athletes. When dissected, every basketball shoe has three essential components: the upper, the midsole and the outsole. The design of basketball shoes relies on each specific to the athletes’ competitive and comfort needs. Thus, in order to design the perfect fit for optimal function, every element of structure needs to be assessed through research of physical structure and athletic capabilities of each individual athlete.Introduction: Considering the significance of shoes upon generations, referring to basketball shoes simply as “gym sneakers” is a great understatement. The evolution of basketball shoes has become a huge part of American pop-culture and has started a fashion style all its own for the world’s stage. The design and style of basketball shoes range from the one-size-fits-all design of the “Chuck Taylor” All-Stars, to the buzzing cultural excitement of the Air Jordans. The origin of basketball shoes began almost a hundred years ago, in 1917, when Converse released the “All-Star” style. As the first of its kind, Converse enjoyed being the prominent shoe in the basketball shoe world until 1982 when Nike introduced their new technology of the “air sole” in Nike’s “Air Force 1” [1]. Figure SEQ Figure \* ARABIC 1: (left) Original “Chuck Taylor” Converse All-Star 1917, (right) Nike Air Force 1982, Continuing the evolution of engineering, the 1980s featured much technological advancements for basketball shoes and their design. This started a renaissance of engineering designs among the entirety of all shoe companies. In order to catch up with Nike, Adidas and Reebok created their own air technology. In 1986, Adidas released the “Adidas Attitude”. Mirroring Nike and Adidas rapid rate of engineering design, Reebok released the “Pump” in 1989 [2]. Today, the basketball shoe business has become a multi-billion dollar industry. In order to gain a competitive edge in the market, shoe companies cater to “customer satisfaction” by attempting to satisfy the needs of customers through searching for the design best for optimal performance. This desire for “customer satisfaction” has resulted in a highly competitive industry where new technology is constantly being innovated [3]. Breaking Down the ShoeAs a high energy sports game, the activity of playing basketball results in players having spontaneous stress and pressure placed on their feet, ankles and knees. Bodily stress and pressure are directly correlated to the kinesiology of the athlete while involved in the movements of cutting, sprinting, jumping, landing and jarring stop and go motions. With the intention of delivering optimal performance for athletes, the design of basketball shoes was altered in order to best absorb the contact created with the athlete’s sudden stops coupled with quick accelerations and decelerations. For these reasons, a basketball shoe’s design must be constructed with the combined features of support, cushioning (in order to absorb shock), flexibility, and stability [4]. Like other athletic shoes, basketball shoes are made up of three primary parts: ?the upper, the midsole, and the outsole shown in Figure 2.Figure SEQ Figure \* ARABIC 2: three main parts of a basketball shoes, store.Fulfilling its design intention, the “upper” keeps the inserted foot locked in its optimal place. With his foot stable and locked to the bottom of his shoe an athlete experiences a type of “snug-fit” sneaker. The design resulting in a “snug-fit” shoe was engineered in order to maintain foot stability during moments of a sudden change in direction. When the foot is sliding, valuable seconds are lost, which consequently decreases the responsiveness of the player [5]. Thus this “snug-fit” design results in decreasing the foot slippage while inside the shoe and causing an increase in athletic performance level as well as athlete safety. The design of the “upper” has the ability to change and adapt to every foot, thus the marketability of basketball shoes with the addition of the “upper” increased dramatically. The fit of the “upper” (how tight or how loose the shoe fits) is directly controlled by the design of the shoelace system. The firmness of the shoelace system controls how tight the “upper” is and subsequently is constantly able to be adjusted in order to reach optimal functionality and secure the athlete’s foot. Loose-fitting shoes often cause blisters, due to the constant rubbing action created when a loose “upper” causes the foot to slip and slide against the shoe insert. If left unadjusted, gruesome injury could occur if foot were to strike the floor with excessive force and pressure, thus leading to a stunt in athletic performance due to the athlete obtaining a injury to the ankle, Achilles tendon or knee; the most common being a sprained ankle. The loose fitting upper and the athlete’s adjustment of “upper” fit, per the “tightness’ or “looseness” of the shoelace system, are dependent on injury prevention and athletic performance levels. Generally speaking, the tighter the fit, the more likely the athlete will be in refraining form injury. The design addition of an “upper” strap helps further protect the ankle by securing the “upper” by both the shoelace system and the strap, thus having two methods of obtaining design intention. Two different design styles of a shoe’s “upper” include high cuts and low cuts. High cut “uppers” offer the athlete with the greatest degree of support for the prevention of ankle injury. Whereas low cut “uppers” offer more flexibility and turning capabilities for the athlete when in competition [4]. The midsole of the basketball shoe was engineered in order to provide foot stability and comfort to athlete with an advanced cushion. The addition of the cushion aids the foot in its absorption of the shocks created while running and jumping; the shocks created when the foot strikes the ground. A player has better ability to “explode”, to move from low to high energy, with an increase in the stiffness of the midsole. The material used to create the midsole affects the stiffness-desired in order to obtain optimal athletic performance. However, a stiff midsole comes with a price- the stiffer the midsole the less cushioning for the foot. Optimizing the ratio of the stiffness and amount of cushion has been an essential part of designing the perfect basketball shoe. Research over the past 25 years has resulted in the testing of a great deal of materials. Various compounds, including EVA (a synthetic rubber-like compound), air, gel, and different combinations of synthetics, have been tested and utilized to the design technology of basketball shoes [4].30861004935220001257300493522000The outsole, the bottom of the shoe, was designed in order to make direct contact with the ground. The outsole helps protect foot from the shock of striking the ground and helps eliminates foot slippage while exploding from the ground into movement. Per its design intention, the outsole is usually patterned with wedges. These wedges are used to create multiple contact points for the foot with the ground and these points help maximize the athlete’s traction with the ground. The specific design of a basketball shoe’s outsole depends on the condition of the area of play (the playground, court, etc). The ground of the athletic performance location is vital to determine the type of outsole design. If the ground was made of concrete or an indoor wooden floor the designs would very in their engineering concepts. Playing outdoor basketball requires more durability from the outsole; done in order to resist the greater tear and wear from the variable atmospheric conditions of outdoor athletic performance [4]. Although their intention be to stop wear and tear on the shoe itself, the more durable materials utilized often have less static coefficient friction; meaning less traction for the athlete. 1028700165735Figure 3: (left) indoor shoe outsole traction pattern/durability vs (right) outdoor shoe outsole traction pattern/durability, 3: (left) indoor shoe outsole traction pattern/durability vs (right) outdoor shoe outsole traction pattern/durability, is a fast paced sport; demanding quick response from the athlete in order optimally performs. The movements of cutting, jumping, twisting, and turning rely on the athletes’ ability to move in the shoes he wears. During the course of the game, these maneuvers place significant stress on players’ ankle joints. Lateral ankle sprain is the most common injury in basketball; it accounts for 38% and 45% of all injuries for men and women, respectively. The mechanism of this ankle injury can occur when a player lands on the floor at a bad angle or upon another player’s foot. Other situations include sudden stopping, a sharp twist or turn, collision, fall, tripping or a change of direction while running [6]. Depending on the severity of the injury, it can take up to one to six weeks to rehab a sprained ankle [7]. Thus when choosing the right pair of basketball shoes, athletes often search for ways to protect their ankle joints. One intention of basketball shoe design is to reduce the probability of ankle injuries. Ankle injuries are avoided by providing proper support to the feet. Primarily the design comes with two basic styles: the high tops and the low tops, each with its strengths and weaknesses. High tops basketball shoes are more preferred among athletes because them offer the most ankle support and stability. The “upper” contributes the most ankle protection during play actions. It provides a support system that locks up the ankle joint. When tied tight with shoelaces, the support prohibits any abnormal turning of the foot. With the extra support material they are generally heavier; thus, high tops can be a good choice for players seeking maximum support and don’t mind little extra bulk. Recent shoe technology has greatly improved upon this area. A newly developed mixture of leather and lightweight mesh are used in today’s shoes allowing more breathability while sustaining protection at the same time [8].Low-top basketball shoes much are lighter in weight and provide a greater mobility. With the removal of the ankle support, the low cut design exposes ankle joint and does not restrict its movement. Although low tops give players more flexibility in their range of motion, many fear the risk of injury from the lack of ankle protection by its low height [7]. Figure 3 shows a picture comparing the high and low tops of Nike’s Hyperdunk 2012. A study in 1993 from University of Oklahoma in the American Journal of Sports Medicine found no correlation between the shoe height and ankle injury. In fact, soccer players, who put just much amount of stress on their ankles if not more, wear low cut designed shoes [9]. Many basketball players admit that when ankle is rolled high top shoes will not prevent it from being sprained. Figure 4: (left) high top vs (right) low top basketball shoe, store.The modern of design of basketball shoes has implemented engineering technology to prevent awkward landing and establish stability. With the introduction of “LunarLit” foam and “Flywire” technology in 2008, Nike elevated the design shoe technology into a new level. “LunarLit” foam is a damping technology used by NASA engineers to create cushion in seats of space shuttles. Installed inside the outsole for safe landing, this foam is the lightest of all shock absorption material. “Flywire”; a strong light weight fiber composed of Vectran and Nylon, was utilized in order to minimize weight and maximize “upper” support. “Flywire” aided engineers in their intention by creating more bounding structures with the midsole and outsole creating a conforming fit around the foot. Figure 5: Flywire, store.Traction: Apart from having a good support system, players seek shoes that have the ability to improve their performance level. Quicker response creates the difference between an average player and a good player. Great traction provided by the proper shoe design allows a player to perform at his or her highest level. For example, the signature move of “crossover” dribble in basketball is a great way for an offensive player to draw space between defenders and score. During the motion of a “crossover” dribble, the offensive player fakes one way and goes the other leaving the defender in behind. This move puts enormous amount of lateral force on the outsole of the shoe during the split second of changing direction. According to Sports Science, a professional basketball player can generate up to 1,800 pound of force during a “crossover” dribble [10]. Figure 6: moves such a "crossover" dribble put significant amount of stress on the foot, espn.To handle the vigorous force of cutting and change of direction without slipping, the outsole design must be engineered to reach the optimal function. Although the pattern of outsole design varies greatly, they all serve the purpose to generate traction. When a player propels himself the majority of force created is concentrated on his big toe/ ball of foot region. Thus, air cushions have been constructed specifically for those pivot points. Usually concentric curve tread patterns are created in reference to those pivot points; thus resembling rings of water ripple. The functionality of concentric circular pattern is to provide a 360-degree of acceleration. Depending on artistic of the design, the rest of the outsole is made into herringbone tread patterns: a repeating pattern of fishbone like tread. This technology not only increases the traction of the shoe with its multiple wedge contacts, it has a feature of self-cleaning by releasing dirt and clay collected from the ground when the shoe is flexed [11]. Figure 7: outsole pattern of a basketball shoe, Conclusion: Despite being engineered with the sole intention of optimal athletic performance, the technology of basketball shoes has been applied to the footwear of athletes and people everywhere. Sports such as basketball, football, tennis and soccer all require the optimal performance when utilizing the movements of cutting, jumping, running and turning. By taking apart sections of the basketball shoes’ design; the upper, the midsole and the outsole, an all-encompassing athletic and everyday footwear can be seen. These three elements of the basketball shoe provide features for both the athlete and the everyday person to enjoy. These features allow for injury prevention, performance enhancement and optimal comfort. Through the timely advancement of the engineering design of basketball shoe technology, optimal functionality has been highly improved upon. Thus allowing the game of basketball to be enjoyed at its fullest as well as leaving the sport with its audience; creating a shoe that has the ability to cross over to the viewers of the sport and potentially increase the health and performance of the people of the world.Reference[1] "Basketball Shoe History." Epic Sports Basketball. Epic Sports Incorporated , 2013. Web. 9 Apr. 2013. Available: [2] Porter, Lisa. "THE EVOLUTION OF BASKETBALL SHOES." . LIVESTRONG, 3 May 2011. Web. 9 Apr. 2013. Available: [3] DeLisa, Jessica. "BASKETBALL SHOE TECHNOLOGY." . LIVESTRONG, 26 May 2011. Web. 9 Apr. 2013. Available: .[4] "Basketball Shoes." , 2013. Web. 11 Apr. 2013.Available: [5] "Kobe - Changing The Way Players Think About Basketball Shoes."?YouTube. YouTube, 12 Dec. 2008. Web. 12 Apr. 2013. Available: [6] Kim, Dale Sang Hyun. "Assessment of Wedge and Flare Designs of Shoes on Basketball Movements."?Assessment of Wedge and Flare Designs of Shoes on Basketball Movements. Georgia Institute of Technology, 30 Aug. 2010. Web. 12 Apr. 2013. Available: [7] Harriman, Dan. "Are Low-Top Basketball Shoes Safe?"?. LIVESTRONG, 11 May 2011. Web. 12 Apr. 2013. Available: [8] Sherwood, Chris. "Why Wear High-Tops in Basketball?"?. LIVESTRONG, 20 Feb. 2011. Web. 12 Apr. 2013. Available: [9] Drehs, Wayne. "Kobe's Feet to Feature New Low-top?shoe."?. ESPN, 11 Dec. 2008. Web. 12 Apr. 2013. Available: [10] "Sports Science: Stephon Marbury and the Cross over."?YouTube. YouTube, 27 Nov. 2009. Web. 13 Apr. 2013. Available: [11] Blair, Roy D. Athletic Shoe Outer Sole for Improved Traction. Roy D. Blair, assignee. Patent US 5203097 A. 20 Apr. 1993. Print. ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download