Influence of Running Shoe Midsole Composition and Custom Foot Orthotic Intervention on Lower Extremity Dynamics during Running

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of varying running shoe midsole composition on lower extremity dynamics with and without a custom foot orthotic intervention. Three-dimensional dynamics were collected on 12 female runners who had completed 6 weeks of custom foot orthotic therapy. Participants completed running trials in 3 running shoe midsole conditions—with and without a custom foot orthotic intervention. Results from the current study revealed that only maximum rearfoot eversion velocity was influenced by the midsole durometer of the shoe. Maximum rearfoot eversion velocity was significantly decreased for the hard shoe compared with the soft shoe. However, the orthotic intervention in the footwear led to significant decreases in several dynamic variables. The results suggest that the major component influencing the rearfoot dynamics was the orthotic device and not the shoe composition. In addition, data suggest that the foot orthoses appear to compensate for the lesser shoe stability enabling it to function in a way similar to that of a shoe of greater stability.

Effects of Foot Orthotics on Running Economy: Methodological Considerations

“…[3][4][5][6][7][8][12][13][14][15] Previous research documented relationships among shoe material characteristics, custom orthotic designs, running, and comfort perception. 1,2,19,22,24,36,37 All of our recreational runners rated meaningful improvements for heel cushioning with the custom-molded foot orthosis vs the shoe-fitted insoles. Heel cushioning is related to both injury prevention and comfort perception.…”

“…16,17,19,20 The importance of custom or subject-specific orthotic design on neuromuscular efficiency is also emerging in the literature as evidenced by minor improvements in rear foot motion control and vertical impact loading with a custom orthotic intervention. [22][23][24] The study was preliminary in nature to determine if using methodologies that mimic recreational running activities and measure comfort perception would provide systematic and more robust changes in running economy as function of footwear conditions. A 30-minute incremental treadmill protocol was deemed necessary to allow for a reliable and valid assessment of an individual's economyof-running line as shown previously in the literature.…”

Setting Standards for Medically-Based Running Analysis

“…The use of orthotics (32,57), shoe posting in the insoles (47), and shoe mileage (28) can help provide explanations to patterns found in the running kinematics or kinetics. Rigid orthotics or heel lifts are provided commonly to runners for foot pain, or runners purchase commercial orthotics for running shoes to improve cushioning.…”

The effects of enhanced plantar sensory feedback and foot orthoses on midfoot kinematics and lower leg neuromuscular activation

“…Many studies have indicated that foot orthoses decrease rearfoot eversion angle [6][7][8][9][10], rearfoot eversion velocity [10,11] and ankle and rearfoot inversion moments [10][11][12]. In addition to orthotic interventions, other work has explored alternative methods of altering lower limb mechanics.…”