Effects of temperature on the performance of footwear foams: Review of developments

Abstract

The human foot is a multifunctional system that serves as the primary physical interaction between the body and the environment during gait. Footwear foam components maintain efficient foot function which is essential for daily living and provide cushioning by acting as a protective layer between the foot and the ground that attenuates the shock of impact. Footwear foam materials have high temperature dependency mechanical characteristics. The lower the temperature, the less elastic the material becomes. Consequently, it would seem reasonable to expect different mechanical and cushioning characteristics for the same shoe under different temperature conditions. Although the footwear foam materials great temperature sensitivity and the clinical implications of excessive temperature rise in the footwear during activities on lower extremity injuries and ultimate amputation are well recognized, but very few studies have demonstrated this dependency. This study reviews the developments made on the temperature effect on the performance of footwear foams and assesses its consequent clinical complications. The search strategy was constructed around the temperature dependency of elastomeric by identifying the sources which affect the footwear foam temperature and also its important clinical implications. This study has intended to provide a review of such factors in order to aid the future materials development and product design. These findings will be useful individuals for those individuals with a history of lower extremity complications particularly diabetes. © 2010 Springer-Verlag.