Two types of insoles design to influence running biomechanics in opposite directions and individual responses
IntroductionGlobal 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 eff...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2025.1501627/full |
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| author | Aurélien Patoz Aurélien Patoz Loris Trastour Cyrille Gindre Cyrille Gindre Cyrille Gindre Cyrille Gindre Bastiaan Breine Bastiaan Breine Thibault Lussiana Thibault Lussiana Thibault Lussiana Thibault Lussiana |
| author_facet | Aurélien Patoz Aurélien Patoz Loris Trastour Cyrille Gindre Cyrille Gindre Cyrille Gindre Cyrille Gindre Bastiaan Breine Bastiaan Breine Thibault Lussiana Thibault Lussiana Thibault Lussiana Thibault Lussiana |
| author_sort | Aurélien Patoz |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionGlobal 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.MethodsEighteen 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 (tmax. pron) with opposite effects expected for the flexion insole.ResultsHowever, the results did not support this hypothesis, as no significant effects of either insole were observed on DF, ∆COM, or tmax. pron compared to running without an insole (p ≥ 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.DiscussionThe 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. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7704294df8714652b9f36e3fe686fdbd |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2296-4185 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology |
| spelling | doaj-art-7704294df8714652b9f36e3fe686fdbd2025-08-20T02:26:41ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology2296-41852025-04-011310.3389/fbioe.2025.15016271501627Two types of insoles design to influence running biomechanics in opposite directions and individual responsesAurélien Patoz0Aurélien Patoz1Loris Trastour2Cyrille Gindre3Cyrille Gindre4Cyrille Gindre5Cyrille Gindre6Bastiaan Breine7Bastiaan Breine8Thibault Lussiana9Thibault Lussiana10Thibault Lussiana11Thibault Lussiana12Research and Development Department, Volodalen Swiss Sport Lab, Aigle, SwitzerlandInstitute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, SwitzerlandLaboratoire Interuniversitaire de Biologie de La Motricité, University Savoie Mont Blanc, Chambéry, FranceResearch and Development Department, Volodalen Swiss Sport Lab, Aigle, SwitzerlandResearch and Development Department, Volodalen, Chavéria, FranceMPFRPV, Université de Franche-Comté, Besançon, FranceExercise Performance Health Innovation (EPHI) platform, Besançon, FranceResearch and Development Department, Volodalen Swiss Sport Lab, Aigle, SwitzerlandDepartment of Movement and Sports Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, BelgiumResearch and Development Department, Volodalen Swiss Sport Lab, Aigle, SwitzerlandResearch and Development Department, Volodalen, Chavéria, FranceMPFRPV, Université de Franche-Comté, Besançon, FranceExercise Performance Health Innovation (EPHI) platform, Besançon, FranceIntroductionGlobal 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.MethodsEighteen 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 (tmax. pron) with opposite effects expected for the flexion insole.ResultsHowever, the results did not support this hypothesis, as no significant effects of either insole were observed on DF, ∆COM, or tmax. pron compared to running without an insole (p ≥ 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.DiscussionThe 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.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2025.1501627/fullextension insoleflexion insoleinsole interventionsglobal running patternduty factor |
| spellingShingle | Aurélien Patoz Aurélien Patoz Loris Trastour Cyrille Gindre Cyrille Gindre Cyrille Gindre Cyrille Gindre Bastiaan Breine Bastiaan Breine Thibault Lussiana Thibault Lussiana Thibault Lussiana Thibault Lussiana Two types of insoles design to influence running biomechanics in opposite directions and individual responses Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology extension insole flexion insole insole interventions global running pattern duty factor |
| title | Two types of insoles design to influence running biomechanics in opposite directions and individual responses |
| title_full | Two types of insoles design to influence running biomechanics in opposite directions and individual responses |
| title_fullStr | Two types of insoles design to influence running biomechanics in opposite directions and individual responses |
| title_full_unstemmed | Two types of insoles design to influence running biomechanics in opposite directions and individual responses |
| title_short | Two types of insoles design to influence running biomechanics in opposite directions and individual responses |
| title_sort | two types of insoles design to influence running biomechanics in opposite directions and individual responses |
| topic | extension insole flexion insole insole interventions global running pattern duty factor |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2025.1501627/full |
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