Abstract:
Manufacturers market a variety of athletic socks to runners with varying claims of comfort and ergogenic
properties. This study (approved by Drake IRB ID 2009-10088) investigated how foot temperature
during running was modulated by different socks. Additionally, the influence of a short
warm-up period prior to data collection was investigated. Sixteen male subjects (21.3 ± 1.4 yrs) completed
four 10-minute running trials at self-selected but constant speeds in four different socks: cotton,
synthetic, a cotton/synthetic blend, and a combination of the blend sock plus a calf compression
sleeve. Eight subjects performed a 5-minute warm-up at approximately 75% of their trial treadmill
speed and eight did not warm up whatsoever. Foot temperature was recorded for the 10 minutes during
running and 5 minutes immediately after. Heart rate and subjective ratings of perceived comfort
and heat were recorded throughout. There were no significant differences in foot temperature across
socks during or after running. Subjects perceived their feet as being warmer in the cotton and blend
socks compared to the synthetic sock or the blend sock plus the sleeve. There were no differences in
comfort perception across trials. Expectedly, there was a trial order effect for subjects who didn’t warm up such that foot temperature was higher in later trials compared to earlier trials. These results
suggest that (a) socks of differing materials may transfer heat similarly, (b) wearing a calf compression
sleeve influences perceptions of foot temperature, and (c) subjects perceptions of foot temperature may
not coincide with actual temperature.
