The biomechanical comparison of functional insoles

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare and evaluate the effects of three varying functional insoles on the kinematics of the lower extremities and foot pressure distribution during gait. For this, 12 subjects participated in this study and each worn the 3 functional insoles during gait while kinematics, kinetics, electromyography and foot pressures were recorded. The function on the first insole was to absorb shock and increase the dynamic stability, the second was a gel type to absorb shock, and the third was to massage the center regions of the foot sole. The results were as follows; the first insole reduced the joints range of motion and reduced muscular fatigue, the second insole reduce the maximum, total and average foot pressures. Finally, the third insole produced larger values for the contact times and contact area. © 2010 International Federation for Medical and Biological Engineering.