Effect of safety boots with toe spring on foot clearance features during walking

Tripping is a primary cause of occupational injury falls, especially among aging workers. This study investigated changes in foot clearance features during the normal walking swing phase affected by adding a toe spring height to safety boots. Gait data were obtained from nine male participants wearing experimental and control shoes via a motion capture system. A principal component analysis was conducted on three-dimensional foot segment trajectories and angles, and plantar surface motions were compared between conditions. Statistical analysis revealed significant principal component score differences between conditions in principal component vectors 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, and 9. The related swing phase three-dimensional plantar surface motion patterns were reconstructed. The results revealed two characteristics of the shoe-plantar surface three-dimensional motion of experimental shoes: higher foot clearance and a relatively straighter forward leg path. It was thus concluded that utilizing safety boots with toe springs may reduce falls in older workers due to occupational trips in industries. •Investigated influence of toe spring in safety boots on foot clearance.•PCA was done on 3D foot segment trajectories; plantar surface motions compared.•Experimental shoes show higher foot clearance and straighter forward leg path.•Larger safety boot toe spring may reduce falls in older workers.