[Balance therapy shoes - a comparative analysis with respect to immediate training effects]

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Neuromuscular physiology
• Sports medicine

Background:

• Shoe and sole construction are marketed for neuromuscular training, aiming for injury prevention or rehabilitation.
• Understanding the impact of footwear on the neuromuscular system is crucial for performance and injury management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how different shoe and sole constructions affect the neuromuscular system's load and postural control.
• To compare the effects of barefoot stance, MBT shoes, Finnamic-Rollenschuh, and ReflexControl shoes on postural stability and muscle activity.

Main Methods:

• A controlled laboratory study involving 10 healthy subjects.
• Postural stabilization was assessed using a force plate and electromyography (EMG) recordings.
• Subjects performed single-leg stance trials under barefoot conditions and with three different shoe types (MBT, Finnamic-Rollenschuh, ReflexControl) in a randomized order.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in EMG activity were found between barefoot, MBT, and Finnamic-Rollenschuh conditions.
• The ReflexControl shoe significantly increased EMG activity in tested muscles compared to all other conditions.
• Significantly greater postural sway was observed with the ReflexControl shoe, while MBT, Finnamic-Rollenschuh, and barefoot conditions showed no statistical difference in sway.

Conclusions:

• The ReflexControl shoe serves as an effective tool for neuromuscular training during upright stance.
• MBT and Finnamic-Rollenschuh footwear effectively simulate a barefoot stance in terms of neuromuscular response and postural control.
• Footwear design significantly influences neuromuscular load and postural stability, with implications for injury prevention and rehabilitation strategies.