Running footwear with custom insoles for pressure distribution are appropriate to diminish impacts after shin splints

Abstract

Background: It is unknown whether the use of cushioned footwear with custom insoles for 10-km runners with shin splints if effective in attenuation of running impact. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of cushioned (footwear with custom insoles) and non-cushioned (barefoot) running on impact in 10-km runners rehabilitated after unilateral shin splint. Methods: Twenty patients (mean age 30.5 ± 9.3 years; mean body mass index 23.4 ± 2.0 kg/m2) were assessed under two randomly assigned conditions for this cross-sectional study. To measure impact in 10-km runners, the time and frequency domains of impact were obtained through accelerometry, and the reconstructed time-domains, calculated during running, from footwear with custom insoles as compared to control conditions (barefoot) were compared for statistically significant differences. Insoles were customized based on pressure distribution and foot shape. Results: Mean impact was reduced (P < 0.001) from 6.9 g in the control condition to 6.5 g in the cushioned condition. The spectrum frequency was lower (P < 0.001) for the cushioned condition between 5.8 and 40.5 Hz. The reconstructed time-domain impact signal had an r = 0.38 ± 0.21 and R2 = 14.3% in relation to the impact signal. The impact and frequency spectrums were attenuated in the band of 5.8 to 40.5 Hz for cushioned condition. Conclusions: Running footwear with custom insole designs reduce impact during running, establishing an appropriate strategy to diminish tibial stress after shin splint in runners.