Finite Element Simulation Analysis of Optimizing Toe Box of Running Shoes to Reduce the Risk of Subungual Hematoma in Marathon Runners
Subungual hematomas commonly observed in marathon runners are often associated with the rupture of blood vessels within the nail bed due to acute compression injuries or repetitive trauma.Customized last design may help mitigate the exacerbation of mechanical damage caused by the frequent compression of the big toe against the shoe's toe box during running.Therefore,this study aimed to investigate the effects of optimizing the toe box structure of running shoes on the internal biomechanical responses of the foot,thereby quantifying the risk of subungual hematoma injury among marathon runners.Using CT image data,a three-dimensional finite element model of the foot-shoe system was reconstructed,and the model's loading and boundary conditions were defined based on laboratory-measured kinematic and kinetic parameters.Two different toe box designs were simulated to analyze the internal and external mechanical changes during peak impact moments of toe landing in both forefoot and rearfoot strike running patterns.The results showed that compared to the control shoe,increasing the space for the toes within the shoe cavity reduced the maximum impact force on the big toe by 11.4%and 33.1%,and the peak stress on the big toe by 7.6%and 12.8%,respectively,in the forefoot and rearfoot strikes.Additionally,the peak stress on the first phalanx decreased by 36.2%and 35.3%in both strike patterns,with a notable 18.5%reduction in the distal segment of the first phalanx specifically in the rearfoot strike.By analyzing the biomechanical mechanisms of subungual hematoma injury,this study suggests that optimizing the toe box design of running shoes may be an effective strategy for preventing subungual hematoma injuries among marathon runners,particularly those with a rearfoot strike pattern.Future research should refine the dose-response analysis of toe box parameter optimization to identify the optimal solution for last customization,balancing the shoe's structural design in terms of injury prevention and performance enhancement.
bruised toenailfinite element modelingbiomechanicstoe box
万方数据
维普
