Orthotics & Sports Performance
SUMMARY OF BENEFITS OF ORTHOTICS FOR ALL TYPES OF CONDITIONS
- “A questionnaire was sent to 275 people that had been wearing custom orthotics for more than one year by the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine. “Overall, the majority of respondents indicated that they were satisfied with their devices, obtaining significant (60 to 100%) relief of symptoms. Very few patients indicated total dissatisfaction. The data strongly suggest that custom-molded foot orthotics are an effective and viable treatment modality associated with a high level of patient satisfaction.” Walters, J: JAPA, 2004.
- 62.5% of the participants in the study documented that their foot and body alignment condition completely resolved by using orthotics. “Orthotics reduced or delayed the need for surgery in general for hallux valgus (bunions) and hammer toe specifically.
JAPA, Vol 83, 1993
- “The use of foot orthoses in patients with plantar fasciitis appears to be associated with reduced pain and increased function. “
Un of VA, Sports Medicine
- “Orthotic shoe inserts were most effective in the treatment of symptoms arising from biomechanical abnormalities, such as excessive pronation or leg length discrepancy. Along with other conservative measures, orthotic shoe inserts may allow the athlete to continue participation in running and avoid other treatment modalities that are more costly and time consuming, and therefore less acceptable to them.” Conditions included in the study were excessive pronation (being flat-footed), arch pain, leg length discrepancy, Achilles tendonitis, shin splints, and knee disorders.
Gross ML: Am. J. Sports Medicine, 1991
- “The potential of foot orthotics for reducing pain and injuries is convincing.” Human Performance Laboratory, Un. of Calgary
- Customized semi-rigid foot orthotics have moderate to large beneficial effects in treating and preventing plantar fasciitis (arch and heel pain) and posterior tibial stress fractures (the tibia is the inner larger of the two bones in the leg), and small to moderate effects in treating patellofemoral pain syndrome (knee pain).” Hume, P: Sports Medicine, 2008
- Orthotics has been proven to be effective in reducing running injuries. If orthotics can reduce running injuries, then imagine the positive effects of orthotics during standing for long periods of time. There are significant forces placed through your knees, legs, ankles and feet with running and standing, the shock absorbing capacity of an orthotic is very beneficial.
Sports Medicine, 1985
- While wearing custom foot orthotic, subjects exhibited significantly enhanced the way their foot hit the ground and had a positive effect on their knee alignment.
Department of Exercise Science, Un. of Mass
- “People with early stages of tibialis posterior tendonopathy (pain below the inner ankle and foot, with the foot appearing to collapse in) benefited from a program of orthoses wear and stretching.”
Kulig K: Physical Therapy, 2009
- “Recent research in patients with acute and chronic ankle instability has revealed positive effects of foot orthoses on postural control.” The implications are that foot orthotics can be a positive effect on balance and overall posture.
Richie, D JAPA, 2007
How Functional Orthotics Enhance Recreational Activity and Sport Performance
The foot is a marvel designed for articulating on uneven ground. Today, the ground is usually flat and most sports require shoe gear to adapt the foot to these flat modern surfaces. Sports usually have thoughtfully designed shoe gear to optimize the wearer's activity. However, every athlete is unique and could benefit from personalized orthotics/insoles and shoe gear that are constructed after a careful computer walking and standing test and other biomechanical measurements. The computer testing is performed again in the future to note your progress and modify your orthotics if needed.
1) Reduce caloric burn - when a foot is stabilized by a Functional Orthotic the muscles from your hips to feet are held in a better anatomical position to support maximum function and participation in the sport or other activities.
2) Prolong participation time - reducing expended energy during any movement saves stored energy for subsequent work. Being more efficient, an athlete can usually perform longer and harder.
3) Make movements more effective - when an athlete reaches out with their hands, extends a leg, makes a twisting movement, or pushes off with the foot, movement-power is usually generated with a planted foot (feet) that are stabilized. If an athlete's body structure is not perfectly stabilized at the playing surface, a loss of energy and power loss is imminent from unnecessary work performed by muscles. A well-designed Functional Orthotic can help improve how the foot contacts the ground and thusly best supporting the entire body and posture.
4) Make sport easier
5) Enjoy sports more
6) Reduce chances of overuse injury
7) Reduce chances of traumatic injury
Here at Health One Podiatry we complete a computer standing and walking test to best visualize, measure and document many key ingredients that are utilized in recommending and fabricating the best orthotic for your daily living and sports participation.
