Dr Sharon Dixon, Associate Professor in Biomechanics, has used the University of Exeter’s VSimulators facility at Exeter Science Park to help develop safe and comfortable footwear for active older people engaged in sport, in a research project funded by an Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ICSF) Healthy Ageing Catalyst Award from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
The project, which aimed to support the increasing number of older people continuing to participate in sport, by designing a bespoke sports shoe, was supported by commercial partner Cosyfeet, footwear specialist providers for older people.
This pilot study used the unique capability of VSimulators to explore human movement and responses to the environment. Dr Dixon’s research aimed to understand lower limb joint loading in older adults during sports participation. Previously, such research could only take place in uncontrolled outdoor environments, or in gait analysis labs, offering limited results. This aim of this research study was to understand and model the loads occurring between the shoe, the person and the surface.
For more information on the VSimulators facility or to discuss a project or idea which might use the capabilities, please contact vsimulators@exeter.ac.uk