Foot orthoses alter lower limb biomechanics but not jump performance in basketball players with and without flat feet

Abstract

Background Flat-footed individuals are believed to have poorer jump performance compared to normal-arched individuals. Foot orthoses are commonly used to support the deformed foot arch, and improve normal foot function. However, it is unclear if foot orthoses use affects jump performance in athletes. Our study aims to investigate if foot type and/or foot orthosis influence countermovement jump (CMJ) and standing broad jump (SBJ) performance and lower limb biomechanics. Methods Twenty-six male basketball players were classified into normal-arched ( n = 15) or flat-footed ( n = 11) groups using the Chippaux-Smirak index, navicular drop test, and the resting calcaneal angle measurement. They performed jumps with and without prefabricated foot orthoses. We measured jump height and distance for CMJ and SBJ, respectively. Hip, knee and ankle joint angles, angular velocities, moments and powers during take-off were also measured. Results For CMJ, the flat-footed group exhibited less ankle plantarflexion ( F 1,24 = 8.407, p = 0.008, η p 2 = 0.259 large effect) and less hip joint power ( F 1,24 = 7.416, p = 0.012, η p 2 = 0.244 large effect) than the normal-arched group. Foot orthoses reduced ankle eversion in both groups ( F 1,24 = 6.702, p = 0.016, η p 2 = 0.218 large effect). For SBJ, the flat-footed group produced lower peak hip angular velocity ( F 1,24 = 7.115, p = 0.013, η p 2 = 0.229 large effect) and generated lower horizontal GRF ( F 1,24 = 5.594, p = 0.026, η p 2 = 0.189 large effect) than the normal-arched group. Wearing foot orthoses reduced ankle eversion ( F 1,24 = 5.453, p = 0.028, η p 2 = 0.185 large effect), peak horizontal GRF ( F 1,24 = 13.672, p = 0.001, η p 2 = 0.363 large effect) and frontal plane ankle moment ( F 1,24 = 4.932, p = 0.036, η p 2 = 0.170 large effect). Conclusion Foot type and the use of foot orthoses influence take-off biomechanics, but no...

Effect of Red Arch-Support Insoles on Subjective Comfort and Movement Biomechanics in Various Landing Heights

“…All kinetic data was normalized to body weight. Ankle and knee joint biomechanics variables are direct relevance to the footwear assessment during jump and landing performance [38,45,51,52]. Peak vertical forefoot GRF, rearfoot GRF and maximum loading rates were also calculated, as these GRF variables are the key biomechanical indicators associated with landing injuries as well as foot insole effect [16,38].…”

Influence of lower leg myofascial kinematic chains on flat feet development of children 7-14 years old

“…One of the main features of this fairly sophisticated design is that the cushioning ability of the foot, contrary to popular belief, is determined not so much by tendons and ligaments, but by the dynamic performance of a large group of foot and leg muscles [3,14,15] . However, according to many authors [5,16,17], the most effective correction of flatfoot is possible only at the age of 12 years, since by this age the vaulted apparatus of the foot is finally formed.…”

Effects of foot orthoses on dynamic balance and basketball free-throw accuracy before and after physical fatigue

“…After having the anthropometrical measurements, participants wore a new pair of standard socks and test basketball shoes (Wade 6, Li Ning, Beijing, China) to prevent the potential influences due to the socks and footwear (Ho et al, 2019;Lam et al, 2018;Liu et al, 2017;Nin et al, 2016). They were then instructed to administer a 10-min self-instructed warm-up including stretching and jogging and then familiarise themselves with the testing tasks and footwear condition, which was comparable with previous studies on basketball footwear and orthoses (Ho et al, 2019;Lam et al, 2018;Liu et al, 2017;Nin et al, 2016). **** Fig.…”

“…It is not uncommon for athletes to use foot orthoses to relieve pain (Hirschumuller et al, 2011) and improved sport performance (Banwell et al, 2014;Mills et al, 2010). More than 50% of basketball players were reported to use foot orthoses in competition and training (Losito, 2010), as it can improve balance, foot alignment, strain and load on soft tissues, and receptor sensory on the foot plantar in various populations (Davidson, 2010;Ho et al, 2019;Lusardi and Nielsen, 2007). Biomechanically, foot orthoses with medial arch-support increase the foot-insole contact area and pressure at the medial longitudinal arch of a foot, enhancing somatosensory inputs over the plantar foot.…”