The Influence of Forefoot Bending Stiffness of Futsal Shoes on Multiple V-Cut Run Performance

A forefoot bending stiffness (FBS) property of footwear is known to benefit athletes in running performance. To date, the efficacy of bending stiffness on performance is rather unknown from the perspective of futsal shoes. This study investigates the influence of bending stiffness property of three commercial futsal shoes on change of direction run resultant performance. Nineteen university level athletes participated in the human performance test (multiple V-cut change of direction run) on a hardwood flooring facility using three pairs of futsal shoes (i.e., S1, S2, and S3) with different models but similar in outsole material (S1—mass: 311 g, heel-to-toe drop: 10 mm, friction coefficient, 1.25; S2—mass: 232 g, heel-to-toe drop: 8 mm, friction coefficient: 1.34; and S3—mass: 276 g, heel-to-toe drop: 7 mm, friction coefficient: 1.30). The FBS properties for each shoe were mechanically measured. Results from the analysis of variance indicated that there was a significant difference of FBS value among the three shoes (S1: 0.32 Nm/deg., S2: 0.26 Nm/deg., and S3: 0.36 Nm/deg.) [F(2,8) = 28.50 (p < 0.001)]. Shoes with relatively higher shoe-playing surface friction coefficient (S2 and S3) had significant impact on the V-cut performance (p < 0.05) when compared with the shoe with lower friction coefficient (S1). In contrast to the literature, the shoe with the lowest FBS (S2) did not suffer any detriments on the resultant performance in the test conducted. These findings suggested that there could be other performance limiting factors, such as the friction coefficient, rather than FBS that have greater influence on the test outcomes.

Regional Analysis of Hardwood Lumber Production: 1963–2005

Between 1963 and 2005 hardwood lumber production in the eastern United States increased by more than 50%. Production more than doubled in the northeastern and north central regions while increasing by less than 25% in the southeastern and south central regions. Increased lumber production in the northern regions was facilitated by an expanding sawtimber inventory, relative high volumes of select oak species and hard maple, an expanding kitchen cabinet industry, increased exports, and increased lumber demand by the pallet industry. Hardwood lumber production in the south central region was correlated with hardwood flooring production. When flooring production declined between 1963 and 1982, south central lumber production declined. After 1982 flooring production increased and hardwood lumber production in the south central region followed. By contrast, lumber production in the southeastern region has been tied to the fortunes of the wood and upholstered furniture industries. As furniture imports increased, the demand for lumber by these industries first stagnated and then declined. As a result, lumber production in this region declined between 1982 and 2005. Today, much of the commodity product portions of hardwood-demanding industries are facing international competition. By contrast, a driver of growth in hardwood lumber demand seems to be smaller manufacturers producing custom and semicustom products. These new industries tend to purchase higher-quality lumber but can use a variety of species. Therefore, states or regions with high volumes of timber and a broad composition of species have the greatest potential for future growth in hardwood lumber production.