Sock Material And Warm-Up Effects On Foot Temperature During Treadmill Runing

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.