Shoe cushioning reduces impact forces during landings after fatigue, but not before fatigue

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of the highly cushioned shoe on impact characteristics and kinematics of the lower limbs under fatigue conditions during drop landings. Fifteen male basketball players performed drop landings from 60cm height in pre- and post-fatigue with highly-cushioned shoes (HS) and less cushioned control shoes (CS). Sagittal plane kinematics and vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) were collected simultaneously. The second peak impact force, the first and second peak loading rate of HS were significantly lower than that of CS group after fatigue. In addition, the second peak loading rate was significant lower of HS in pre- fatigue. Shoe cushioning may make only a limited contribution to reducing landing impact forces before fatigue, but it significantly reduces the peak impact force and loading rate during landing after fatigue.