Preventing falls in older people by an innovative connected shoe: development & biomechanics study
Lead Participant:
VIVOBAREFOOT LIMITED
Abstract
"Older people falls are the most common cause of death from injury in the over 60s and cost the NHS over £2bn a year. Shoes directly influence balance and gait and subsequent risk of slips, trips and falls by altering somatosensory feedback to the foot and ankle.
Barefoot (also known as minimalist) shoes are intended to closely mimic an unshod condition. They have reduced cushioning, thin soles, and are of lighter weight than conventional shoes, allowing for more sensory contact of the foot on the ground while simultaneously providing the feet with some protection from ground hazards and conditions. Research suggests benefits of barefoot shoes in strengthening muscles and restoring gait and balance as compared to conventional shoes but most papers focus on running and young people.
In this project, Vivobarefoot, the UK leader in barefoot technology has teamed up with University of Liverpool (the Department of Musculoskeletal Biology at the Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease to bring an efficient and affordable solution to older people falls by development of a highly innovative barefoot minimalist shoe specifically targeted for the over 60s. This shoe will integrate innovative materials and use optimal design for best mechanical properties allowing to improve gait and balance in older people. A version of this shoe will be equipped with high end pressure sensors that will collect data on the user's foot biomechanics and feed them into walking ""coach"" app that generates simple instructions or prompts on to how to improve walking. This project comprises an important research study that will consist of an in-depth analysis of biomechanical properties of the foot/ankle in people wearing the newly developed shoe. This study will be performed by the UoL and will involve 35-40 over 60s volunteers. The aim is to provide robust foot biomechanics evidence on the effects of barefoot vs. conventionally shod walking on older people's balance & gait"
Barefoot (also known as minimalist) shoes are intended to closely mimic an unshod condition. They have reduced cushioning, thin soles, and are of lighter weight than conventional shoes, allowing for more sensory contact of the foot on the ground while simultaneously providing the feet with some protection from ground hazards and conditions. Research suggests benefits of barefoot shoes in strengthening muscles and restoring gait and balance as compared to conventional shoes but most papers focus on running and young people.
In this project, Vivobarefoot, the UK leader in barefoot technology has teamed up with University of Liverpool (the Department of Musculoskeletal Biology at the Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease to bring an efficient and affordable solution to older people falls by development of a highly innovative barefoot minimalist shoe specifically targeted for the over 60s. This shoe will integrate innovative materials and use optimal design for best mechanical properties allowing to improve gait and balance in older people. A version of this shoe will be equipped with high end pressure sensors that will collect data on the user's foot biomechanics and feed them into walking ""coach"" app that generates simple instructions or prompts on to how to improve walking. This project comprises an important research study that will consist of an in-depth analysis of biomechanical properties of the foot/ankle in people wearing the newly developed shoe. This study will be performed by the UoL and will involve 35-40 over 60s volunteers. The aim is to provide robust foot biomechanics evidence on the effects of barefoot vs. conventionally shod walking on older people's balance & gait"
Lead Participant | Project Cost | Grant Offer |
|---|---|---|
| VIVOBAREFOOT LIMITED | £525,583 | £ 367,908 |
Participant |
||
| UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL | ||
| UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL | £207,524 | £ 207,524 |
| INNOVATE UK |
People |
ORCID iD |
| Galahad Clark (Project Manager) |