Dynamic Analysis of Skin Deformation for Ergonomic Design of Compression Leggings

This study investigates the dynamic deformation of human skin during running using a 4D scanning system, capturing detailed spatiotemporal changes across five critical gait phases: initial contact, mid-stance, toe-off, mid-swing, and late swing. Six participants were analysed to track and quantify skin deformation (displacement). Results reveal the posture-dependent variations in skin deformation in running. The anterior knee and posterior hip regions consistently exhibited skin elongation, whereas the posterior knee and anterior hip regions showed skin contraction. Transitional boundary lines between these opposing deformation regimes were mapped, providing novel biomechanical insights into skin behaviour during dynamic motion. These findings advance the understanding of cutaneous mechanics in sports science and offer empirical guidelines for optimizing compression garment design, particularly for running-related compression legging applications.