Sports Shoes are designed to improve performance among athletes. As an example, in the 19th century, many wore rubber-soled plimsolls in Europe and they are available in a few color options. Today, these shoes have been replaced with new models, such as those with air cushion and gel-filled capsules. Recent ground-breaking manufacturing techniques have further improved sports shoes. The most significant early technological advancement for sports shoes is probably vulcanization.
Sulfur is used in the rubber treatment process, which allows us to meld cloth and rubber together. Plimsolls were revolutionary compared to other shoes, because they were light and provided plenty of comfort. Users are also able to move quickly without making too much noise.
Modern clothing and trainers for athletes have evolved to be stronger and lighter. Technology has played a significant in boosting performance through properly developed shoes. There are actually specific shoes for different kinds of sports. In general, these shoes could focus on different factors, such as grip, flexibility and/or strength. In order to improve durability, specialized sports shoes could be made from Kevlar, instead of leather and this allows shoes to become ten times stronger.
Foam-blown polyurethane is also used on shoes to provide extra cushioning and this should allow our shoes to become both pliable and strong. New composite materials should help use produce enhance performance using different materials. We should be aware that different materials have unique properties, such as resistance to warping and twisting. When weight is applied, the material should flatten out properly, it shouldn’t be too rigid or too soft.
Sports shoes can have elastic properties with specific ability to bend or flex when some amount of force is applied. When the force is removed, sports shoes should be able to return to their original shape. Polyurethane is actually quite unique, because it combines the durability and toughness of metal with the elasticity of rubber.
Polyurethane is used during the manufacturing process of sports shoes, because it is light and can absorb shock properly. The substance is also pliable, while offering great bending and torsional strength. Kevlar is one of the most influential man-made materials ever made. It is consisted of inter-connection, long molecular chains that are produced from poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide. Kevlar should offer high tensile strength, as well as flame resistance, high cut resistance, excellent dimensional strength, low thermal shrinkage, high chemical resistance, low electrical conductivity, structural rigidity and low weight. In general, Kevlar is a very versatile material. Spiked shoes are also essential for modern athletes, they could provide grip on soil.
There are different types of running shoes that we should know and they should be able to accommodate different running styles. When choosing running shoes, athletes should make sure that it can work well for neutral, pronation and supenation running styles. Gel, empty space, silicon and foam could be added on sports shoes to improve flexibility. Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) is a special kind of plastic that can provide excellent shock absorption and cushioning.