Noene
The impact force with which a foot strikes the ground will rebound off the surface and vibrate up through the body as an energy shockwave, affecting muscles, tendons and joints. Damage caused by these rebound shockwaves can build up over time, to such an extent that the problems like tendonitis and back pain will result.

Originally man moved barefoot over naturally elastic or cushioned terrains like grasslands and forest floors. Hard rocky areas were then avoided, unlike today when we have to endure rigid, non-elastic surfaces like concrete and asphalt that do not absorb these shockwaves, even though we now wear shoes.

Noène rubber was first formulated to protect sensitive electronics from vibration and developed to counter vibrations occurring in F1 racing cars, where space was limited and weight kept to a minimum. It was subsequently used to dampen the vibration of industrial machinery.

Though Noène's energy absorbtion (elasticity) is a great improvement, it's energy dispersion (damping) properties represent a revolutionary advance over those of traditional elastomers.

Laboratoire Mediadem then recognised a potential for use in footwear and, with the help of leading physiotherapists, developed their Sportline range.

Even when walking normally on tarmac, the total pressure from rebound shockwaves created by a 9.5 stone person, will exceed 80 tonnes after just 1Km.

In sport the problem of hard ground is even worse and a rebound shockwave pressure of 3 to 5 times the body weight of a runner will occur with every stride taken.

This means a 10.25 stone runner will be subjected to a total rebound shockwave pressure of more than 9,300 tonnes over an entire marathon distance (42.195 Km).

1st Generation cushioning - products before Noène

Rubber based Polymer insoles, if thick enough, are effective at absorbing impact energy but will be rather heavy. alternatively , foam rubber insoles, while light in weight , have to be extremely thick to absorb energy.

Advantages: good energy absorbtion, so comfortable to wear, you'll hardly feel your feet touch the ground.

Disadvantages: do not disperse impact energy and all the damaging shockwaves will rebound undamped.

In recent years several biomechanical research papers have shown that energy absorbtion (elasticity) without dispersion (damping) can actually lead to amplification of the rebound energy shockwave, sometimes as much as ten times.

2nd Generation cushioning - protection with Noène

Noène is a high-tech, vibro-absorbent elastomer with a unique composition of crystalline rubber micro-cells, formulated to a special patented design, giving different properties to those of normal rubber.

These properties are such that a mere 2mm thickness is sufficient to absorb and then disperse the impact energy, from a foot hitting the ground, so that rebound shockwaves are thoroughly damped and hence neutralised.

Advantages: Will absorb and disperse impact energy, so protecting the body from 94% to 98% of rebound shockwave energy, without diminishing foot to ground sensitivity or affecting the natural rollover of the foot.

The Noène philosophy

Being very lightweight and of minimal thickness, Noène Sportline products provide a hi-tech solution to protection against the damaging shockwaves resulting from today's hardened man-made surfaces.

They are ideal for today's shoes that have an in-built comfort factor and wil not interfere with their balance or design integrity, nor impare your 'feel' for a surface.