| Summary: | Change in gait by footwear was investigated using a tactile sensor that measures displacement of the centroid and its moving velocity on the sole, and an equilateral-triangular force plate that measures the three orthogonal components of ground reaction force as well as plantar friction as the frictional coefficient between the flooring material and the sole. Gait pattern was demonstrably changed by footwear and was influenced by the kinematic constraint of the ankle joint and stiffness of the sole of the shoe. The time history of plantar friction displayed two peaks per step, synchronous with those of the vertical ground reaction force; this provides easy-to-understand information regarding the influence of footwear on gait pattern. In contrast, plantar friction between the two peaks was extremely low, approaching zero in places. This behavior can be explained by a sliding/rolling motion between the flooring material and the sole.
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