Patoz Aurélien, Trastour Loris, Gindre Cyrille, Breine Bastiaan, Lussiana Thibault
Research and Development Department, Volodalen Swiss Sport Lab, Aigle, Switzerland.
Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Front Bioeng Biotechnol. 2025 Apr 17;13:1501627. doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2025.1501627. eCollection 2025.
Global running patterns vary along a spectrum defined by the degree of body verticality. This continuum ranges from extension (upright extended postures) to flexion (forward-leaning positions characterized by flexion at the hips and knees). Understanding these patterns is crucial for effective injury rehabilitation. Recent research has identified inefficiencies in vertical load management, leading to the development of extension- or flexion-based exercises. Insoles, while not typically designed for comprehensive extension or flexion adjustments, can complement these exercises. This study tested two novel insoles-extension and flexion-designed by a podiatrist based on principles such as higher shore values for enhanced extension increased thickness for greater flexion.
Eighteen recreational runners ran at 12 km/h on a treadmill under three conditions: no insole, extension insole, and flexion insole. We hypothesized that the extension insole would produce a lower duty factor (DF), greater vertical center of mass displacement (∆COM), and shorter time to maximum ankle pronation during ground contact ( ) with opposite effects expected for the flexion insole.
However, the results did not support this hypothesis, as no significant effects of either insole were observed on DF, ∆COM, or compared to running without an insole ( ≥ 0.38). Additionally, there was considerable variation in individual responses to the insoles. The extension insole resulted in a more extended running pattern in 50% of participants, while the flexion insole produced a more flexed pattern in 44% of participants. Notably, only 11% of participants reported both a more extended running pattern with the extension insole and a more flexed running pattern with the flexion insole.
The anticipated effects of the insoles on running mechanics were not consistently observed, underscoring the complexity of insole interventions. This highlights the need for further research to improve insole design, refine insole prescription, and to better understand the nuances of running biomechanics.
全球跑步模式沿着由身体垂直程度定义的频谱变化。这个连续体范围从伸展（直立伸展姿势）到屈曲（以髋部和膝盖屈曲为特征的前倾姿势）。了解这些模式对于有效的损伤康复至关重要。最近的研究已经确定了垂直负荷管理中的低效问题，从而导致了基于伸展或屈曲的运动的发展。鞋垫虽然通常不是为全面的伸展或屈曲调整而设计的，但可以补充这些运动。本研究测试了两种由足病医生设计的新型鞋垫——伸展型和屈曲型，其设计基于诸如更高的邵氏硬度值以增强伸展、增加厚度以实现更大的屈曲等原则。
18名休闲跑步者在跑步机上以12公里/小时的速度在三种条件下跑步：不使用鞋垫、使用伸展型鞋垫和使用屈曲型鞋垫。我们假设伸展型鞋垫会产生较低的负荷因子（DF）、更大的垂直质心位移（∆COM）以及在地面接触期间达到最大踝关节内旋的时间更短（ ），而屈曲型鞋垫预期会产生相反的效果。
然而，结果并不支持这一假设，因为与不使用鞋垫跑步相比，两种鞋垫对DF、∆COM或 均未观察到显著影响（ ≥ 0.38）。此外，个体对鞋垫的反应存在相当大的差异。伸展型鞋垫使50%的参与者呈现出更伸展的跑步模式，而屈曲型鞋垫使44%的参与者呈现出更屈曲的模式。值得注意的是，只有11%的参与者报告使用伸展型鞋垫时跑步模式更伸展，使用屈曲型鞋垫时跑步模式更屈曲。
未始终观察到鞋垫对跑步力学的预期效果，这凸显了鞋垫干预的复杂性。这强调了需要进一步研究以改进鞋垫设计、完善鞋垫处方并更好地理解跑步生物力学的细微差别。
