[Damping inserts have no load reducing effect in the fatigued state]

Overload injuries to the lower limbs may be attributed to repetitive, non-physiological load stimuli. However, these impact loads acting on the musculoskeletal can be reduced by wearing damping inserts. To date, however, there is only little evidence as to whether this positive effect can be assigned to the damping insert and, furthermore, whether this effect is detectable in states of muscle fatigue. Therefore, the influence of muscle fatigue in combination with the wearing of damping inserts was investigated in 13 subjects. The parameters examined in this study were ground reaction forces during walking and the muscular activation profile of the lower limb in the phase of initial ground contact. The results showed that neither in comparisons with and without damping inserts nor in states of muscular fatigue could significant differences were found in the ground reaction forces. Wereas, no significant differences could be detected in the investigated muscles, with and without damping inserts, preactivation in the peroneal and biceps femoris muscles were significantly earlier, in states of muscular fatigue with damping inserts, while no changes could be found in the anterior tibial, soleus, vastus lateralis and gastrocnemius muscles. The present results demonstrate that wearing damping inserts does not lead to a positive effect with regard to a reduction of the ground reaction forces. The earlier preactivation in the case of muscle fatigue with a damping insert is indicative of an increased energy expenditure which may be possibly associated with increased knee and ankle joint control. The high satisfaction concerning the comfort of wearing such inserts revealed by a questionnaire did not correlate with a reduction in loading condition. On the basis of the present results we cannot recommend the wearing of damping soft sole inserts in the context of a reduction in load condition.