Plantar loading during jumping while wearing a rigid carbon graphite footplate

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Sports Medicine
• Orthopedics

Background:

• Fifth metatarsal stress fractures are common injuries in athletes.
• These fractures often lead to delayed healing and non-union.
• Understanding factors influencing plantar loading is crucial for injury prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of a rigid carbon graphite footplate (CGF) on plantar loading during jumping.
• To assess the CGF's effect on both the take-off and landing phases of a jump.
• To determine if CGF can mitigate forces associated with fifth metatarsal stress fractures.

Main Methods:

• Nineteen recreational male athletes performed jumping tasks.
• Plantar loading data was collected using standard running shoes and shoes with an integrated CGF.
• Paired t-tests analyzed differences in contact area, force-time integral, and maximum force between footwear conditions.

Main Results:

• The CGF significantly decreased contact area in the medial midfoot and forefoot during take-off.
• However, the CGF increased the force-time integral and maximum force in the forefoot during take-off.
• During landing, the CGF reduced midfoot contact area but increased maximum force in the medial and middle forefoot, while reducing it in the medial midfoot.

Conclusions:

• The rigid carbon graphite footplate (CGF) was found to be ineffective in reducing overall plantar loading during jumping and landing.
• The CGF did not demonstrate a capacity to mitigate forces that could contribute to fifth metatarsal stress fractures.
• Further research may be needed to explore alternative interventions for preventing these common athletic injuries.