Image more important than performance for sport shoes
17/02/2010
Biomechanics experts at Staffordshire University in the UK discovered that colour was the single most important factor governing choice in a recent study carried out among students.
The study was conducted by Professor Nachi Chockalingam and Helen Branthwaite from the university’s faculty of health.
“We questioned 195 students, predominantly from a sports and exercise background, about the thoughts, feelings and choices they made on purchasing their last set of training shoes,” explained Professor Chockalingam. “The questionnaire explored the type of shoe purchased, the technical factors that influenced the purchase, the qualities of the trainer, emotions associated with wearing the trainer, what the training shoe was used for and a review of lower limb injuries.”
He continued: “The main influence on purchasing the trainer was colour and brand, highlighting that image and fashion are more important factors than cushioning and motion control. Clearly the impact of brand specific features and technologies that are researched to maximise performance and reduce injury are not influential for this population when buying training shoes.”
The findings show that 151 out of 195 of the students who took part in the study indicated that colour was an important factor in choosing their training shoes, followed by brand (128), cushioning (74), type of activity (54) and motion control (15). Everyday wear (47%) was the most common use for the trainers, while 23% used them for running, 21% for the gym and 9% for other sports including tennis, netball and football.
Professor Chockalingam added: “This research obviously has implications for the big brands which pump millions into research and marketing with a view to develop shoes that alter running mechanics and improve lower limb function and reduce injuries. It will also form part of a much larger study, still focusing on the factors determining choice, but involving other age groups.”
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