Sneaker heat diffusion through walking

[charlesworth]

Hi,

I'd like to figure out the amount of heat lost in the kinematic action of putting your foot on the ground while walking. I'm not interested in the diffussion of body heat through the shoe or anything, just the heat energy released by the impact itself. I know this is obscure, and probably impossible to do accurately, but anything will help.

I'm assuming that it will include variables like surface area, speed of impact, and material types.

Again, anything would be helpful, thanks,

-Ian

 

[Andrew Mason]

Hi,

I'd like to figure out the amount of heat lost in the kinematic action of putting your foot on the ground while walking. I'm not interested in the diffussion of body heat through the shoe or anything, just the heat energy released by the impact itself. I know this is obscure, and probably impossible to do accurately, but anything will help.

I'm assuming that it will include variables like surface area, speed of impact, and material types.

It depends on many factors. Walking is more efficient than running, for example. In walking, the body is constructed so that minimal up and down motion occurs. Very little energy is lost in the foot impacting the ground.

When running, there is more of an impact but the body muscles can act as a kind of spring (depending on how fit you may be) and may store some of that energy and release it when pushing off.

From a physics perspective, there is no energy lost if the force does not act through a distance. So if the person's legs are perfectly rigid on impact and no sliding of the foot on the surface, there is no work done so there is no energy lost on impact (ignoring sound).

AM

 

[astrokreng]

Hello Ian,

Thank you for your interest in studying the heat diffusion in walking. This is a complex topic as it involves various variables and factors. To accurately determine the amount of heat lost in the kinematic action of walking, we would need to conduct controlled experiments using specialized equipment.

Some potential variables to consider in this study could include the surface area of the foot in contact with the ground, the speed and force of impact, the material properties of the shoe and ground surface, and the individual's body temperature and walking style. Additionally, environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and air flow could also play a role in heat diffusion during walking.

To accurately measure the amount of heat lost, we would need to use thermographic imaging or other specialized equipment to capture the changes in temperature during the walking motion. This data could then be analyzed to calculate the heat diffusion and compare it to other variables.

While this may seem like a challenging task, with careful planning and precise measurements, it is possible to gain insights into the heat diffusion during walking. I would recommend conducting further research and consulting with experts in this field to design a comprehensive study that can provide valuable insights into this topic.

Best of luck with your research!