Abstract

Running is becoming an increasingly popular sport which has led to an increase in running-related injuries (RRIs). The study is a pilot evaluation whether pedobarograph based prefabricated orthotics decreased self-reported minor injuries, increased comfort and increased performance.
Data was collected from 37 voluntary runners aged between 20 and 75 with previous running experience and no ongoing issues of foot pain. Based on the recommendations of the pedobarograph, one of the 4 Sport Orthotics (L 400 series - orthotic (Lynco® Aetrex¹) as recommended by the pedobarograph was provided. After acclimatisation for 2 weeks, participants ran with and without the orthotic on alternate weeks and recorded distance, time, comfort and the presence of any injuries or pain.
Sixty-one runners were recruited for the study through social media promotion (Facebook). 5 runners voluntarily withdrew from the study. 37 participants (21 females and 16 males) provided data on 358 runs (214 runs with the Orthotic and 144 runs without the Orthotic.
The mean rate of self-reported minor injuries was 28.21% (101/358 runs). With the Orthotic the injury rate was 21.03% (45 of the 214 runs) and without the Orthotic the injury rate was 38.89% (56 of the 144 runs) (38.89%) showing a 17.8% reduction of self-reported minor injuries.
The average comfort score measured on a Likert scale of -5 to +5 when running with the orthotic was 2.45 (sd=2.45), as compared to when running without the orthotic 0.44 (sd=1.99) showing a 18.27% improvement of comfort with the Orthotic. The performance / average velocity of the participants when running with the orthotic was 10.52km/hr (sd=2.25) as compared to when running without the orthotic at 10.1km/hr (sd=2.53). This did not reach statistical significance.

Keywords

running, self-reported, minor injuries, orthotics, comfort, injuries, performance, average velocity