{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,3]],"date-time":"2026-06-03T19:50:49Z","timestamp":1780516249115,"version":"3.54.1"},"reference-count":32,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"13","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,21]],"date-time":"2025-06-21T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1750464000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and impact research grant","award":["WZ21"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["WZ21"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Materials"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Running socks play an important role in alleviating foot impact and preventing foot injuries. Despite the variety of commercial options, their cushioning effectiveness is not well understood. This study examines three different types of running socks made of bio-based and synthetic textiles. Material testing includes compression, tensile, and shock absorption, while wear tests assess plantar loading in 10 adult recreational runners on a treadmill. Results show that specialized running socks offer superior shock absorption compared to regular running socks, largely due to fabric thickness and weight. Socks made of high-performance bio-composite fibers significantly reduced maximum peak pressure and impulse in the great toe (p &lt; 0.05) and first metatarsal head (p &lt; 0.05) during running. Additionally, ground contact time in the forefoot (p &lt; 0.05) area was significantly lower with specialized running socks. Compared to regular running socks, five-toed running socks can reduce the pressure load on the forefoot area. These findings can guide the design of specialized sockwear for better foot protection and improved sports performance.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/ma18132941","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,23]],"date-time":"2025-06-23T04:50:05Z","timestamp":1750654205000},"page":"2941","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Cushioning Performance of Specialized Running Socks for Enhanced Shock Absorption and Reduced Plantar Pressure"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"18","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0006-7299-1861","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Xia","family":"Zhou","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Fashion and Textiles, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Pui-Ling","family":"Li","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Fashion and Textiles, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Kit-Lun","family":"Yick","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Fashion and Textiles, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-3413-1880","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Annie","family":"Yu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Fashion and Textiles, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,21]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"139","DOI":"10.2298\/PSI180605032P","article-title":"Relations between motivation for long-distance running and emotional well-being","volume":"52","author":"Popov","year":"2019","journal-title":"Psihologija"},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"57","DOI":"10.1249\/JES.0000000000000033","article-title":"Sprinters versus Long-distance Runners: How to Grow Old Healthy","volume":"43","author":"Kusy","year":"2015","journal-title":"Exerc. Sport Sci. Rev."},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"170","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ptsp.2011.08.001","article-title":"Running injuries and associated factors in participants of ING Taipei Marathon","volume":"13","author":"Chang","year":"2012","journal-title":"Phys. Ther. Sport"},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"263","DOI":"10.1016\/S1836-9553(13)70203-0","article-title":"Previous injuries and some training characteristics predict running-related injuries in recreational runners: A prospective cohort study","volume":"59","author":"Junior","year":"2013","journal-title":"J. Physiother."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1260","DOI":"10.1249\/MSS.0b013e3182084929","article-title":"Effect of running speed on lower limb joint kinetics","volume":"43","author":"Schache","year":"2011","journal-title":"Med. Sci. Sports Exerc."},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"739","DOI":"10.2519\/jospt.2014.5164","article-title":"Excessive progression in weekly running distance and risk of running-related injuries: An association which varies according to type of injury","volume":"44","author":"Nielsen","year":"2014","journal-title":"J. Orthop. Sports Phys. Ther."},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"753","DOI":"10.1016\/j.proeng.2016.06.328","article-title":"Frictional interaction between running sock fabrics and plantar aspect of first metatarsal head in different moisture conditions","volume":"147","author":"Tasron","year":"2016","journal-title":"Procedia Eng."},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"30","DOI":"10.7547\/14-085","article-title":"Plantar static pressure distribution in Normal feet using cotton socks with different structures","volume":"107","author":"Soltanzadeh","year":"2017","journal-title":"J. Am. Podiatr. Med. Assoc."},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"5","DOI":"10.1016\/S0958-2592(96)90052-8","article-title":"A short-term study of shock-attenuation in different sock types","volume":"6","author":"Howarth","year":"1996","journal-title":"Foot"},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1016\/j.foot.2010.10.002","article-title":"The effect of socks on vertical and anteroposterior ground reaction forces in walking and running","volume":"21","author":"Blackmore","year":"2011","journal-title":"Foot"},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"696","DOI":"10.1177\/0040517516688631","article-title":"Bioceramic-fiber socks have more benefits than cotton-made socks in controlling bacterial load and the increase of sweat in runners","volume":"88","year":"2018","journal-title":"Text. Res. J."},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1236","DOI":"10.1177\/1528083719898850","article-title":"Running thermoregulation effects using bioceramics versus polyester fibres socks","volume":"51","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Ind. Text."},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1940","DOI":"10.1080\/00405000.2020.1853409","article-title":"Water\/moisture vapor permeabilities and thermal wear comfort of the Coolmax\u00ae\/bamboo\/tencel included PET and PP composite yarns and their woven fabrics","volume":"112","author":"Kim","year":"2021","journal-title":"J. Text. Inst."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"309","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jtv.2021.11.005","article-title":"Socks with an U-shaped 3D discharge element are capable to reduce dynamic plantar pressures under the central forefoot","volume":"31","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Tissue Viability"},{"key":"ref_15","first-page":"8","article-title":"Friction Blisters of the Feet: A Critical Assessment of Current Prevention Strategies","volume":"59","author":"Rushton","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Athl. Train."},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"21","DOI":"10.33607\/rmske.v1i28.1357","article-title":"What are the benefits of five-toed socks? A scoping review","volume":"1","author":"Tedeschi","year":"2023","journal-title":"Reabil. Moksl.Slauga Kineziter.Ergoter."},{"key":"ref_17","first-page":"69","article-title":"Effects of wearing athletic shoes, five-toed shoes, and standing barefoot on balance performance in young adults","volume":"10","author":"Smith","year":"2015","journal-title":"Int. J. Sports Phys. Ther."},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"496","DOI":"10.1249\/01.MSS.0000385119.61259.27","article-title":"Five-Toed Socks with Grippers on the Foot Sole Improve Dynamic Postural Control in Healthy Individuals: 2066: Board# 195 June 3 9: 00 AM-10: 30 AM","volume":"42","author":"Shinohara","year":"2010","journal-title":"Med. Sci. Sports Exerc."},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"836","DOI":"10.1177\/0040517512461698","article-title":"Analysis of current running sock structures with regard to blister prevention","volume":"83","author":"Baussan","year":"2013","journal-title":"Text. Res. J."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"26","DOI":"10.1177\/0040517514534750","article-title":"Sock fabrics: Relevance of fiber type, yarn, fabric structure and moisture on cyclic compression","volume":"85","author":"Lowe","year":"2015","journal-title":"Text. Res. J."},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1043","DOI":"10.1177\/0954411916671544","article-title":"Effect of socks structures on plantar dynamic pressure distribution","volume":"230","author":"Soltanzadeh","year":"2016","journal-title":"Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng.Part H J. Eng. Med."},{"key":"ref_22","first-page":"88","article-title":"Plantar pressues in two sock models with different three-dimensional wave separation","volume":"33","author":"Nova","year":"2022","journal-title":"Rev. Esp. Pod"},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Zhang, L.-Y., Liu, Q.-L., Yick, K.-L., Yip, J., and Ng, S.-P. (2023). Analysis of diabetic foot deformation and plantar pressure distribution of women at different walking speeds. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 20.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph20043688"},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"311","DOI":"10.1682\/JRRD.2013.01.0012","article-title":"New methods for evaluating physical and thermal comfort properties of orthotic materials used in insoles for patients with diabetes","volume":"51","author":"Lo","year":"2014","journal-title":"J. Rehabil. Res. Dev."},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"383","DOI":"10.1520\/JTE20220140","article-title":"A New Preventive Sock for People with Diabetes","volume":"51","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Test. Eval."},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"32","DOI":"10.1080\/00405000.2017.1320817","article-title":"An investigation into the effect of fabric structure on the compressional properties of woven fabrics","volume":"109","author":"Asayesh","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Text. Inst."},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"653","DOI":"10.2337\/diacare.12.9.653","article-title":"Use of experimental padded hosiery to reduce abnormal foot pressures in diabetic neuropathy","volume":"12","author":"Veves","year":"1989","journal-title":"Diabetes Care"},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"324","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1464-5491.1990.tb01398.x","article-title":"Studies of experimental hosiery in diabetic neuropathic patients with high foot pressures","volume":"7","author":"Veves","year":"1990","journal-title":"Diabet. Med."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"175","DOI":"10.1016\/0958-2592(92)90002-7","article-title":"The use of specially padded hosiery in the painful rheumatoid foot","volume":"1","author":"Veves","year":"1992","journal-title":"Foot"},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"825","DOI":"10.1016\/j.clinbiomech.2013.06.014","article-title":"The cushioning properties of athletic socks: An impact testing perspective","volume":"28","author":"Blackmore","year":"2013","journal-title":"Clin. Biomech."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"701","DOI":"10.1080\/00405000.2013.844420","article-title":"Study of the mechanical behaviour of the elastic-core-spun yarns","volume":"105","author":"Babay","year":"2014","journal-title":"J. Text. Inst."},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"554","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jsams.2012.01.004","article-title":"Comparison of plantar loads during treadmill and overground running","volume":"15","author":"Hong","year":"2012","journal-title":"J. Sci. Med. Sport"}],"container-title":["Materials"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1996-1944\/18\/13\/2941\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,9]],"date-time":"2025-10-09T17:56:14Z","timestamp":1760032574000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1996-1944\/18\/13\/2941"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,21]]},"references-count":32,"journal-issue":{"issue":"13","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,7]]}},"alternative-id":["ma18132941"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ma18132941","relation":{},"ISSN":["1996-1944"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1996-1944","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,21]]}}}