Leather and Footwear Journal

Volume 25, no 3

Contents
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OPTIMIZING FOOTWEAR FOR FEMALE FLAG GUARDS: A PLANTAR PRESSURE-BASED DESIGN APPROACH
- Pages 115-126
  Rong WANG^1†, Yunqi TANG^1,2†, Taisheng GONG^1,2*, Hui REN², Peiyao LIANG³, Meixi LI², Yong WANG⁴, Yunbo LONG⁵, Xinxin HAO^6*
  - ¹College of Bioresources Chemical & Materials Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi’an 710021, China
  - ²College of Art & Design, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi’an 710021, China
  - ³Department of Sports Medicine, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
  - ⁴Department of Physical Education, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China
  - ⁵Haozhonghao Health Technology Co., Ltd, Wenzhou 325024, China
  - ⁶Department of Physical Education, College of Undergraduate Student, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha 410072, China
  - ^†These authors contributed equally to this work and shared the first authorship
  ABSTRACT. Previous studies on occupational footwear have rarely addressed the biomechanical demands of repetitive high-impact marching in female populations, limiting the generalizability of their conclusions. To address this gap, the study aimed to evaluate the impact of footwear design on plantar pressure distribution and perceived comfort in young female university flag guards during high-impact marching drills, characterised by straight-leg gait patterns and forceful ground contact. Twelve female participants (age: 22.6 ± 3.3 years, ≥1 year of goose-stepping training) performed goose-stepping tasks in three footwear types: Type I (30 mm tapered heel, rigid sole), Type II (47 mm block heel, wider base), and Type III (47 mm block heel, elastic upper, foam insole with varying thickness – 4mm at the forefoot and 7mm at the heel). Plantar pressure was recorded using the Pedar-X system (100 Hz) across eight foot regions during a 30-meter goose-stepping task at 110–116 steps/min. Perceived comfort was assessed via a 100 mm Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Type III significantly reduced peak pressure and pressure-time integral in the central forefoot, lateral forefoot, and heel medial compared to both Type I and II (P < 0.05), while also increasing forefoot contact area. Type III received the highest VAS ratings for forefoot cushioning and overall comfort, significantly outperforming Type I (P < 0.05). Type II also improved heel cushioning and overall comfort relative to Type I (P < 0.05), but was less effective than Type III in forefoot comfort. The Type III design, integrating a wider heel and foam insole with different thicknesses at the forefoot and heel, effectively redistributed plantar pressure and improved comfort, providing evidence-based insights for optimizing footwear to mitigate lower limb injury risks in female flag guards during high-impact ceremonial drills. However, individual differences in foot morphology were not controlled for, which may affect the generalizability of the findings.
  
  KEYWORDS: footwear design, female flag guards, plantar pressure distribution, perceived comfort, goose-stepping
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ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ANTIMICROBIAL TEXTILES: A REVIEW
- Pages 127-132
  Cornel Adrian MARIN^*, Raluca Maria AILENI
  - The National Research & Development Institute for Textiles and Leather, 030508, Bucharest, adrian.marin@incdtp.ro
  ABSTRACT. Textile materials with antimicrobial properties have become increasingly important in various sectors, including healthcare, public transportation, and personal apparel, due to their potential to inhibit the spread of microorganisms. This article reviews the development of antimicrobial textiles, focusing on the integration of advanced technologies such as nanotechnology, plasma treatments, and electrospinning. Specifically, the review explores modern methods including electrospinning, plasma surface functionalization, sol-gel coatings, spray application, microencapsulation, and nanoparticle integration, highlighting their role in improving antimicrobial performance. These methods enhance the antimicrobial efficacy of textiles while maintaining the physical and aesthetic properties of the fabrics. Nanoparticles, particularly silver, have demonstrated significant efficacy against a wide range of pathogens and are used in protective gear and everyday fabrics.
  
  KEYWORDS: textile, antimicrobial, antibacterial, electrospinning, nanoparticles
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3D FOOT MORPHOLOGY AND GENDER DIFFERENCES IN CHINESE YOUTH AGED 17–25
- Pages 133-144
  Yunqi TANG¹, Meixi LI¹, Peiyao LIANG², Hui REN¹, Rong WANG³, Xinxin HAO^4*
  - ¹College of Art & Design, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi’an 710021, China, tangyunqi@sust.edu.cn, 231011042@sust.edu.cn, 211012049@sust.edu.cn
  - ²Department of Sports Medicine, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China, liangpeiyao@tmmu.edu.cn
  - ³College of Bioresources Chemical & Materials Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi’an 710021, China, 230112112@sust.edu.cn
  - ⁴Department of Physical Education, College of Undergraduate Student, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha 410072, China, haoxin010@126.com
  ABSTRACT. Accurate understanding of foot morphology is essential for ergonomic footwear design, particularly for young adults whose foot structure may differ from older generations due to lifestyle and nutritional changes. This study aimed to investigate three-dimensional foot morphology and gender differences among Chinese youth aged 17–25. A total of 943 university students (664 males, 279 females) were recruited, and their feet were scanned using a 3D foot scanner. Fifteen key foot dimensions were extracted for analysis. Independent t-tests revealed significant gender-based differences: males tended to have longer and narrower feet, whereas females exhibited higher arches and relatively broader forefeet. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified three main morphological dimensions—length, girth, and height structure. Cluster analysis based on PCA scores classified both male and female feet into three types: slender, standard, and wide. Compared with historical data, modern Chinese youth show increased foot length and girth, suggesting a secular trend. These findings provide updated foot anthropometry data and highlight the necessity for gender- and foot type-specific shoe lasts. This study contributes valuable insights for footwear design, improving product fit, comfort, and reducing the risk of foot-related issues in young adult populations.
  
  KEYWORDS: foot morphology, 3D foot scanning, gender differences, foot shape classification, footwear design
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ELECTRON BEAM PHYSICAL VAPOR DEPOSITION (EB-PVD): APPLICATIONS ON FLEXIBLE MATERIALS AND POTENTIAL IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF TEXTILE THERMOELECTRIC GENERATORS
- Pages 145-154
  Cornel Adrian MARIN^*, Raluca Maria AILENI
  - The National Research & Development Institute for Textiles and Leather, 030508, Bucharest, adrian.marin@incdtp.ro
  ABSTRACT. Wearable electronics need on-body power sources for extended operation. Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) integrated into textiles are a promising solution, converting body heat into electricity to power wearable sensors and electronics. This approach reduces reliance on batteries and enables fully self-powered wearables. Current flexible TE materials are often conducting polymers or composites, which offer flexibility but have relatively low thermoelectric efficiency. Inorganic semiconductors (e.g., bismuth telluride Bi₂Te₃ and germa-nium telluride GeTe) provide far higher TE performance, but their rigidity and brittleness hinder direct incorporation into fabrics. Electron beam physical vapor deposition (EB-PVD) provides a way to deposit high-performance inorganic TE films onto flexible substrates. EB-PVD can coat fibers or polymer fabrics with ultrathin Bi₂Te₃ or GeTe layers, transferring the high Seebeck coefficients and conductivity of these inor-ganics onto a textile platform. However, mechanical and thermal mismatches between stiff films and soft fabrics can cause cracking or de-lamination under bending and temperature changes. This review summarizes recent advances in the use of EB-PVD for flexible thermoelectric textiles, highlighting both its advantages and current limitations as a deposition method for wearable applications.
  
  KEYWORDS: EB-PVD, TEGs, flexible materials, nanomaterials, textiles
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APPLICATION AND INNOVATION OF CLOUD SHOULDER ART IN MODERN BAG DESIGN
- Pages 155-172
  Lixue ZHAO^1*, Hongming BAO², Chen YANG³
  - ¹Jiangxi Institute of Fashion Technology, Nanchang Key Laboratory of Digital Apparel System Design, No. 108, Lihu Middle Avenue, Xiangtang Economic Development Zone, 330201, Nanchang City, China, zxue23@163.com
  - ²Northeast Electric Power University，School of Arts, No. 169, Changchun Road, Chuanying District, Jilin City, Jilin Province, China, 1075906278@qq.com
  - ³Jiangxi Institute of Fashion Technology, Jiangxi Centre for Modern Apparel Engineering and Technology, No. 108, Lihu Middle Avenue, Xiangtang Economic Development Zone, 330201, Nanchang City, China, comradeyang@qq.com
  ABSTRACT. Cloud Shoulder, as an important decorative element in traditional clothing of the Ming and Qing dynasties, holds rich cultural connotations and unique aesthetic value. This study explores the application and innovation of Cloud Shoulder art in modern bag design. Through an in-depth analysis of the historical background, design features, and cultural symbols of Cloud Shoulder, the study investigates its creative application in modern bag design. Specific cases of using Cloud Shoulder elements in contemporary bag designs are selected to analyze their design concepts, implementation methods, and market feedback, summarizing the application characteristics and innovative methods of Cloud Shoulder in modern design. Based on the research and analysis of Cloud Shoulder elements, modern bag design practices are conducted to explore innovative application methods of Cloud Shoulder in contemporary design. The results show that Cloud Shoulder art in modern bag design can not only inherit and promote traditional culture but also inject new inspiration and vitality into modern design, enhancing the aesthetic value and market competitiveness of bags.
  
  KEYWORDS: cloud shoulder art, modern bag design, cultural inheritance, design innovation, aesthetic value
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