The Analysis of Foot Pressure and Lap Time for the Development of Korean Bobsleigh Shoes

Objective : A study and development of Korean Bobsleigh athletes’s shoe which considers their physical condition has yet to be completed. So this study examines the effects of running shoes used by athletes based on plantar pressure and sprint time in order to provide raw data for the development of bobsleigh shoes suitable for Koreans. Method : The study selected seven bobsleigh athletes as subjects and selected three pairs of spiked running shoes from three companies, which will be referred to as Company N (Type A), Company A (Type B), and Company M (Type C). To analyze sprint time and plantar pressure for each shoe, the subject of the study were instructed to wear the selected shoes and to drag a sled at maximum sprint for 15 meters for 15 meters for in each condition that would be in real bobsleigh competitions. Results : The average sprint intervals for each athlete in each pair of shoes revealed Type C produce the fastest sprint in the order of Type C Type B > Type A (p<.01). None of the three shoe types seem to yield a distinct advantage in terms of maximum average pressure or maximum pressure. Conclusion : In the future, functional analysis should be carried out by comparing the material properties, hardness, and toe spring of shoes based on the Type C shoe from Company M in order to develop bobsleigh shoes suitable for Koreans.