NOVELTY - The article has an energy absorbing structure such as a fluid-filled chamber for cushioning the wearer from a transient force generated during use of the footwear at a time. An energy storage structure stores potential energy absorbed by the energy absorbing structure. A control (881) selectively controls a release of energy from the energy storage structure at another time, preferably so as to assist in the user's gait. The latter time is delayed from the former time, and is independent of an uncontrolled natural response of the energy absorbing structure. The control receives an input estimating an amount of energy stored in the energy storage structure.    USE - Used in a footwear, especially sports footwear, e.g. a shoe, for activities such as walking, jogging, running, hiking, technical climbing, basketball, football, baseball, soccer, lacrosse, tennis, badminton, racquetball, squash, handball, field and track sports, aerobics, dance, weightlifting, cross training, cycling, equestrian sport, boxing, martial art, golf, bowling, hockey, skiing, ice hockey, roller skates, in-line skates, bowling, boating and rowing.    ADVANTAGE - The control selectively controls a release of energy from the energy storage structure to provide damped response, thus avoiding ringing and instability of the footwear, and providing high degree of energy dissipation.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - The control device may modulate a magnetic field to control release of energy from the energy storage chamber, a fail safe release being preferably included to release energy stored in the energy storage chamber independent of said control, prior to a recurrence of a transient force. The control device may comprise a mechanical sequence generator, an electronic sequence generator, or a hydraulic sequence generator. In addition or instead of assisting in locomotion, the stored energy can be used to generate electrical energy, to drive a heat pump, or can simply be dissipated.    An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is also included for a method for controlling footwear.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows a schematic representation of a footwear upper control system.    Layers (882, 883, 884)