Injury Reduction Effectiveness of Selecting Running Shoes Based on Plantar Shape

Abstract

Popular running magazines and running shoe companies suggest that imprints of the bottom of the feet (plantar shape) can be used as an indication of the height of the medial longitudinal foot arch and that this can be used to select individually appropriate types of running shoes. This study examined whether or not this selection technique influenced injury risk during United States Army Basic Combat Training (BCT). After foot examinations, BCT recruits in an experimental group (E: n = 1,079 men and 451 women) selected motion control, stability, or cushioned shoes for plantar shapes judged to represent low, medium, or high foot arches, respectively. A control group (C: n = 1,068 men and 464 women) received a stability shoe regardless of plantar shape. Injuries during BCT were determined from outpatient medical records. Other previously known injury risk factors (e.g., age, fitness, and smoking) were obtained from a questionnaire and existing databases. Multivariate Cox regression controlling for other injury risk factors showed little difference in injury risk between the E and C groups among men (risk ratio (E/C) = 1.01; 95% confidence interval = 0.88-1.16; p = 0.87) or women (risk ratio (E/C) = 1.07; 95% confidence interval = 0.91-1.25; p = 0.44). In practical application, this prospective study demonstrated that selecting shoes based on plantar shape had little influence on injury risk in BCT. Thus, if the goal is injury prevention, this selection technique is not necessary in BCT.

Perspectives on Aerobic and Strength Influences on Military Physical Readiness

“…Low levels of aerobic fitness as measured by run-times has consistently been shown to be strongly associated with higher risk of injuries in military populations (35,36,43,84). However, poorer muscular endurance as measured by push-ups and sit-ups are also associated with injuries, at least in basic training (43,44).…”

Occupation and other risk factors for injury among enlisted U.S. Army Soldiers

“…4,18,34,35 Soldiers with low cardiorespiratory endurance as measured by the two-mile run were at a higher risk of injury, as has been seen in other Army populations. 5,14,16,18,19,28 Individuals with a lower cardiorespiratory endurance will experience a greater amount of physiological strain, which can lead to increased injury risk. 35 Physical fitness can be improved with appropriate physical training.…”

Test–retest reliability and descriptive statistics of geometric measurements based on plantar pressure measurements in a healthy population during gait

“…Motion control shoes are recommended for individuals with low-arches, stability shoes for individuals with normal-arches, and cushioning shoes for individuals with high-arches [8,9]. However, recent prospective studies have demonstrated that selecting a running shoe based on static plantar surface measures does not reduce injuries in recruits during basic training in the Air Force [1], Army [2], or Marine Corps [3]. In these studies, trained evaluators examined the plantar surface of the foot in contact with an acrylic surface and rated the foot as low, normal, or high arched.…”

“…Static, geometric measurements have previously been used in both clinical and research settings to describe and classify foot structure, but recent prospective studies have demonstrated that assigning running shoes based on such classifications does not reduce musculoskeletal injuries [1][2][3]. The use of geometric measurements during gait from a pedobarographic platform may provide clinicians and researchers valuable information about the geometry and alignment of the foot.…”