Development of Sprain-free Sport Shoe: Prototype Version

This study aims to develop an innovative sport shoe to prevent supination type ankle ligamentous sprain injury, which is the most common sport-related trauma. Results from previous funded projects (ITS/015/06, ITS/013/07, ITS/048/08) are adopted to formulate a three-step protection mechanism, which consists of sensing, identification and correction. With such basis, this study focuses on (1) miniature design of the device, (2) rechargeable power supply, (3) power management and optimized sensing control, and (4) wireless communication system. The final device consists of a detachable micro motion monitoring unit at the shoe heel counter, insert or midsole. It sends out radio frequency signal to a myoelectric corrective unit with the signal receiver when an ankle sprain hazard appears. The corrective unit is bandage-like, which wraps the upper shank and delivers electric signal to the lateral shank muscles through a pair of electrode pads. The electric signal could initiate ankle joint pronation and resists the sudden explosive ankle joint supination torque. Finally, the biomechanics effect will be evaluated by a systematic test on 10 healthy subjects in a laboratory.