Effects of a wrapping closure lacing system on wearing comfort, lock-in stability, and lower-limb muscle demand during prolonged running

Introduction Wrapping closure systems are alternative footwear lacing methods that could influence perceived fit and movement biomechanics, yet their performance during prolonged running and impacts on muscle activities remain underexplored. This study compared the effects of a wrapping closure system (dial-based lacing system, DLS) and conventional laces (CL) on wearing comfort, lock-in stability, running kinematics, and lower-limb muscle activation in trained marathoners during an extended running session. Methods Twenty marathoners completed two 50-minute treadmill running trials on separate days using either DLS or CL. Wearing comfort was indicated by donning/doffing time and repeated VAS ratings. Lock-in stability was evaluated via dorsal foot pressure measures, shoe-throat width, and incidence of lace loosening. Running kinematics were assessed by motion capture and musculoskeletal modeling. Surface EMG was recorded from four lower-leg muscles. Between-group differences were examined statistically. Results DLS produced shorter donning/doffing time and lower discomfort ratings during the mid-to-late running stage compared to CL ( p < 0.025). There was no incidence of lace loosening in DLS while that of CL was 10% ( p = 0.500). Pressure fluctuations and peak tibialis anterior activation were significantly smaller in DLS than CL ( p < 0.036) at several time checkpoints of the running trials. No significant differences were observed in other kinematic and EMG measures. Conclusion DLS demonstrated greater wearing comfort than CL. DLS also reduced variability in dorsal foot pressure and lowered local muscular demand without altering overall running kinematics, which indicates the potential advantage of DLS in maintaining foot–shoe coupling during endurance running.