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Foot orthotics affect lower extremity kinematics and kinetics during running
Anne Mündermann1, Benno M Nigg, R Neil Humble
1Human Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alta., Canada T2N 1N4. ahau@kin.ucalgary.ca
Clinical Biomechanics (Bristol, Avon)
|March 7, 2003
Summary
Foot orthotics with posting and molding have different effects on running biomechanics. Molding appears dominant when combined with posting, potentially impacting injury prevention.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Sports Medicine
- Orthotics and Prosthetics
Background:
- Running injuries are linked to specific kinematic and kinetic factors.
- Foot orthotics are hypothesized to mitigate injury risk by altering these factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the biomechanical effects of foot orthotics (posting vs. molding) during running.
- To compare the influence of posting, custom-molding, and combined interventions against a control condition.
Main Methods:
- A repeated measures design involving 21 healthy volunteers.
- Collection of kinematic and kinetic data during overground running.
- Statistical analysis using ANOVA and t-tests to compare conditions (P<0.05).
Main Results:
- Posting reduced foot eversion and ankle inversion moments, but increased vertical loading rate and knee external rotation.
- Molding (with or without posting) reduced vertical loading rate and ankle inversion moment, while increasing foot inversion and knee external rotation.
Conclusions:
- Posting and molding of foot orthotics yield distinct biomechanical outcomes.
- When combined, the effects of molding appear to dominate the intervention.
- Further research is needed to determine the optimal orthotic strategy for preventing overuse running injuries.