On nearly every running event a heterogeneous structure of participants regarding body height and body weight can be observed. This study should figure out whether the running shoe manufacturers will consider this anthropometric variability. Moreover it should be investigated the runners needs based on different anthropometrics regarding preferred cushioning and forefoot flexibility properties. In order to check whether the running shoe manufacturers will apply a grading pattern, a dynamic material study with conventional running shoes in different sizes was conducted. In a second step a field study in Middle Europe and North America with 244 female and 227 male runners was organized. Every subject had to run and evaluate 7 different shoe modifications. Based on the material study it is to state, that the running shoe manufacturers currently do not consider a systematic grading of cushioning and forefoot flexibility properties. In contrast to this, the field study reveals the necessity to grade these properties. A shoe size dependent and a geographic grading concept are suggested. It is supposed, that the application of these grading concepts do not only provide a comfort improvement, but they also contribute to a reduction of joint loads of the lower extremities and consequently to a prevention of overuse injuries.

The preloading is a main characteristic for the functionality of a ball screw. The path of preloading during operation with no thrust load is an indicator for the actual inner forces, the friction produced by the ball screw and finally for the quality of the unit. Due to manufacturing tolerances the preloading over the useful travel of the ball screw differs from its specified value. However, not only the overall loading of a ball screw varies, but also the local load distribution within the nut. This is expressed by a periodic variation of the internal forces which has an effect on the alignment of the nut and therefore on the uniformity and the motion characteristics of a ball screw feed drive. The following paper deals with the occurrence of these periodic force variations and offers an explanation for this particular phenomenon.

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