The EUROShoE approach to ergonomics of foot and shoe

This paper describes the methodological approach developed in the EUROShoE project, whose aim was to realise biomechanically oriented shoes on a mass-customised scale. Users’ data collection, including anthropometry, preferences and biomechanical behaviour, was used to carry out a completely customised (custom-fit approach) footwear design or, at least, to define rules for choosing the most respectful shoe model among a set of preordered ones (best fit approach). Biomechanical properties of different shoe models (A), subjective perception of footwear comfort characteristics (B) and different shoes influences on walking biomechanics (C) were investigated in order to understand: how people’s comfort relates to the shoe style and constructive aspect (correlation between A and B); how footwear styles and constructive parameters influence natural walking biomechanics (correlation between A and C). This methodology led to the definition of a set of ergonomic design rules/ recommendations that were later implemented in the production process of an automated footwear company.