Motion control shoe delays fatigue of shank muscles in runners with overpronating feet

Analysis of the use of insoles in the dynamic stability of the lower limbs in recreational runners: An exploratory study

BACKGROUND

The use of insoles, which is increasingly widespread, can promote changes in biomechanics during running.

RESEARCH QUESTION

Can the use of insoles with various patterns of infracapital support influence factors related to the dynamic stability of the lower limbs during running on a treadmill in recreational runners?

METHODS

This is controlled single-blind repeated measures. Static baropodometric data were collected, as well as kinematic data for the lower limbs and electromyographic data for the gluteus maximus and gluteus medius muscles, for twelve recreational runners on a treadmill using four models of insoles (neutral and with forefoot elements - infracapital bar).

RESULTS

Neutral insoles were able to reduce laterolateral displacement, increase the displacement of the mass to the posterior, and increase the lateral rotation of the left knee and medial rotation of the right hip. Insoles with a 2 mm total infracapital bar were able to move the mass to the posterior, increase laterolateral displacement and activate the gluteus medius. Insoles with a 2 mm medial infracapital bar were able to increase the displacement of the mass to the posterior, increase the adduction of left hip and the medial rotation of right hip, and activate the gluteus medius. Insoles with a 4 mm medial infracapital element were able to move the body mass to the posterior and to the left, increase laterolateral displacement, increase the adduction of left hip, the medial rotation of right hip and the abduction of right knee.

SIGNIFICANCE

The insoles evaluated in the present study were able to modify biomechanical variables of recreational runners related to dynamic stability during running on a treadmill and static baropodometric variables.

A systematic review of the effect of footwear, foot orthoses and taping on lower limb muscle activity during walking and running

BACKGROUND

External devices are used to manage musculoskeletal pathologies by altering loading of the foot, which could result in altered muscle activity that could have therapeutic benefits.

OBJECTIVES

To establish if evidence exists that footwear, foot orthoses and taping alter lower limb muscle activity during walking and running.

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic literature review.

METHODS

CINAHL, MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, SPORTDiscus and Web of Science databases were searched. Quality assessment was performed using guidelines for assessing healthcare interventions and electromyography methodology.

RESULTS

Thirty-one studies were included: 22 related to footwear, eight foot orthoses and one taping. In walking, (1) rocker footwear apparently decreases tibialis anterior activity and increases triceps surae activity, (2) orthoses could decrease activity of tibialis posterior and increase activity of peroneus longus and (3) other footwear and taping effects are unclear.

CONCLUSION

Modifications in shoe or orthosis design in the sagittal or frontal plane can alter activation in walking of muscles acting primarily in these planes. Adequately powered research with kinematic and kinetic data is needed to explain the presence/absence of changes in muscle activation with external devices.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

This review provides some evidence that foot orthoses can reduce tibialis posterior activity, potentially benefitting specific musculoskeletal pathologies.

Effects of Surface Inclination on the Vertical Loading Rates and Landing Pattern during the First Attempt of Barefoot Running in Habitual Shod Runners

Barefoot running has been proposed to reduce vertical loading rates, which is a risk factor of running injuries. Most of the previous studies evaluated runners on level surfaces. This study examined the effect of surface inclination on vertical loading rates and landing pattern during the first attempt of barefoot running among habitual shod runners. Twenty habitual shod runners were asked to run on treadmill at 8.0 km/h at three inclination angles (0°; +10°; −10°) with and without their usual running shoes. Vertical average rate (VALR) and instantaneous loading rate (VILR) were obtained by established methods. Landing pattern was decided using high-speed camera. VALR and VILR in shod condition were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in declined than in level or inclined treadmill running, but not in barefoot condition (p > 0.382). There was no difference (p > 0.413) in the landing pattern among all surface inclinations. Only one runner demonstrated complete transition to non-heel strike landing in all slope conditions. Reducing heel strike ratio in barefoot running did not ensure a decrease in loading rates (p > 0.15). Conversely, non-heel strike landing, regardless of footwear condition, would result in a softer landing (p < 0.011).

Gender-specific neuromuscular activity of the M. peroneus longus in healthy runners - A descriptive laboratory study

BACKGROUND

Gender-specific neuromuscular activity for the ankle (e.g., peroneal muscle) is currently not known. This knowledge may contribute to the understanding of overuse injury mechanisms. The purpose was therefore to analyse the neuromuscular activity of the peroneal muscle in healthy runners.

METHODS

Fifty-three male and 54 female competitive runners were tested on a treadmill at 3.33 m s(-1). Neuromuscular activity of the M. peroneus longus was measured by electromyography and analysed in the time domain (onset of activation, time of maximum of activation, total time of activation) in % of stride time in relation to touchdown (=1.0). Additionally, mean amplitudes for the gait cycle phases preactivation, weight acceptance and push-off were calculated and normalised to the mean activity of the entire gait cycle.

FINDINGS

Onset of activation (mean; female: 0.86/male: 0.90, p<0.0001) and time of maximum of activation (female: 1.13/male: 1.16, p<0.0001) occurred earlier in female compared to male and the total time of activation was longer in women (female: 0.42/male: 0.39, p=0.0036). In preactivation, women showed higher amplitudes (+21%) compared to men (female: 1.16/male: 0.92, p<0.0001). Activity during weight acceptance (female: 2.26/male: 2.41, p=0.0039) and push-off (female: 0.93/male: 1.07, p=0.0027) were higher in men.

INTERPRETATION

Activation strategies of the peroneal muscle appear to be gender-specific. Higher preactivation amplitudes in females indicate a different neuromuscular control in anticipation of touchdown ("pre-programmed activity"). These data may help interpret epidemiologically reported differences between genders in overuse injury frequency and localisation.