Leather and Footwear Journal

Volume 25, no 1

Contents
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PERSPECTIVES ON THE IMPACT OF ADVANCED FOOTWEAR ON RUNNING PERFORMANCE AND INJURY: A REVIEW
- Pages 3-12
  Yichun SUN¹, Zhao YEBAO², Quting HUANG¹, Jin ZHOU^{1, *}, Jie ZENG³, Wing-Kai LAM^{4, *} Song Min LEE^{1, 2}, Yong Ung KWON^{1, 2*}
  - ¹Department of Sports Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea, mugika2@gmail.com
  - ²Biomotion Clinical Rehabilitation Laboratory, School of Sports Science, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, Republic of Korea
  ABSTRACT. This review explores the evolution of running from a basic survival skill to a complex sport, highlighting the significant role of advanced footwear in performance enhancement. Running economy, a key determinant of long-distance running success, is influenced by various external factors, including training methods and equipment, as well as individual attributes, such as biomechanics and cardiorespiratory capacity. Recent advancements in high-performance running shoes have shown promise in improving speed and efficiency, as evidenced by record-breaking performance. However, the potential impact of such shoes on natural running mechanics raises concerns regarding health and injury risks. This study examines the characteristics and effects of critical elements in advanced footwear, such as midsole foam and rigid plates to assess their advantages and disadvantages. The findings show that, although these shoes can temporarily enhance performance, proper training and conditioning are crucial for mitigating injury risks, particularly for untrained runners. The footwear industry must balance performance enhancement, injury prevention, and fairness in competition to ensure that technological advancements positively influence runners’ health and performance.
  
  KEY WORDS: running economy, shoes, midsole, biomechanics, carbon fiber plate
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THE FIVE-FACTOR MODEL OF SANDAL DESIGN
- Pages 13-32
  Saneh SOMPOANGEON, Somchai SEVISET, Songwut EGWUTVONGSA*
  - Department of Architectural Education and Design, School of Industrial Education and Technology, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok 10520, Thailand, songwut.ae@kmitl.ac.th
  ABSTRACT. The growth of the sandal market in Thailand is on the decline, with purchase behavior changing among young consumers. As a result, the factors of sandal design are currently changing as well. The objective of this research was to study the factors of sandal design using a quantitative method. The data were collected from 400 Gen-Z consumers aged between 18-27 years old in Bangkok, Thailand, obtained by multi-stage sampling. A self-administered online survey questionnaire with a structured interview was used. The data were analyzed by exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The results revealed 5 factors of sandal design that meet the needs of Gen-Z consumers, i.e., aesthetic, functionality, symbolism, ergonomics, and innovation. Innovation was found to be the factor that most affected sandal design. According to the results, these factors can be applied to set a strategic plan for more efficient sandal design, which would be useful for product designers, manufacturers, and marketers of the sandal industry in Thailand.
  
  KEY WORDS: sandal design, innovation, ergonomics, functionality, aesthetic, symbolism
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THE ANTIOXIDANT EFFECT OF COLLAGEN HYDROLYSATE ON IMPROVING LIGHTFASTNESS AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF THE GRANOFIN EASY F90-MIMOSA-TANNED LEATHER
- Pages 33-44
  Debora John MAHUSHI^{1, 2*}, Cecilia Rolence CHINA¹, Anke MONDSCHEIN³, Revocatus Lazaro MACHUNDA¹
  - ¹The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 447 Arusha, Tanzania, deboram@nm-aist.ac.tz
  - ²University of Dar es salaam, Mkwawa University College of Education, P.O. Box 2513 Iringa, Tanzania, mahushid@yahoo.com
  - ³FILK Freiberg Institute gGmbH, Meißner Ring 1, 09599 Freiberg, Germany, anke.mondschein@filkfreiberg.de
  ABSTRACT. The effect of antioxidants on the properties of Granofin easy-F90-mimosa-tanned leather is explored in the present paper. The fresh bovine hides were prepared through soaking, liming, de-liming, and bating processes before being tanned with Granofin Easy-F90 and mimosa. Granofin easy-F90 (G) and mimosa (M) were used as cross-linking agents and collagen hydrolysate (C) was used as an antioxidant. The molecular structure, lightfastness, mechanical properties, morphology, and shrinkage temperature (Ts) of leather were measured using Attenuated total reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), Xenotest Alpha and Beta LM, tensile strength testing machine, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and a leather shrinkage temperature tester, respectively. The results indicated that the lightfastness, shrinkage temperature, tear strength, tensile strength, and elongation at the break of the sample treated with collagen hydrolysate were improved. The Granofin easy-F90-mimosa-collagen hydrolysate (GMC) tanned leather sample offered a lightfastness, shrinkage temperature, tear strength, tensile strength, and elongation at break of 4, 95°C, 37.8N/mm, 25N/mm², 42%, and the Granofin easy-F90-mimosa-tanned leather sample gave 3-4, 91.5°C, 30.5 N/mm, 24.2 N/mm², 44.6%, respectively. Considering these results, it is proved that collagen hydrolysate had a positive impact on leather properties.
  
  KEY WORDS: hydrolyzed collagen, F90, antioxidant, lightfastness
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