Abstract: There is usually zero shift in shock waveforms obtained in experimental study on absorption properties of cushion materials.It is necessary to remove the zero shift before data processing,so as to eliminate errors that may happened.Based on waveform features and energy analysis,model reference adaptive theory is introduced into the compensation of zero shift mentioned above,and a model reference adaptive algorithm is presented by the author.Models of prototype shock waveforms are discussed in detail.A compensation software is developed and used in data processing.Fine results are obtained.