Foot-receiving device, such as a footwear article (100) includes: (a) a detector for detecting a characteristic of the interaction between the user's legs and feet-receiving device (102); (b) from the detecting device detecting and / or storing data indicating speed or distance information associated with use of and (c) foot-receiving device; receives output, foot-receiving device control system for controlling a characteristic of (104) on the basis of the output monitoring system for. The monitoring system can also receive input from the same sensing device shall be used to provide data to the control system. The control system may change the impact attenuation characteristics of the article of footwear, traction, flexibility characteristics, those adapted characteristics or the like,. It is also described how to make and use such a foot-receiving device.