Effect of a Commercially Available Footwear Insole on Biomechanical Variables Associated With Common Running Injuries.

Abstract

To determine whether Dr. Scholl's Active Series (DSAS) footwear insoles alter biomechanical variables associated with running injuries. Randomized, controlled experiment. Sport medicine and biomechanics gait analysis laboratory. Fifteen healthy adults. The control condition was the participant's own athletic footwear. The experimental condition was the participant's own athletic footwear plus a DSAS insole. Participants completed running gait analysis trials with each condition. Peak vertical loading rates (VLRs), peak ankle eversion velocities (AEVs), peak ankle eversion angles (AEAs), and knee abduction angular impulses (KAAIs) were calculated and compared between the control and DSAS conditions because these variables have been associated with plantar fasciitis (VLRs), tibial stress syndrome (AEVs, AEAs), and patellofemoral pain syndrome (KAAIs). Dr. Scholl's Active Series insoles reduced VLRs across participants by 16% (P < 0.001) but had no consistent influence on AEVs, AEAs, or KAAIs. Participant-specific responses showed that most runners either experienced AEA and KAAI reductions or no change with the DSAS insole, whereas AEVs commonly increased with the DSAS insole. Dr. Scholl's Active Series insoles demonstrate efficacy in reducing VLRs, which are associated with plantar fasciitis. Biomechanical changes to variables associated with tibial stress syndrome (AEVs, AEAs) and patellofemoral pain syndrome (KAAIs) were inconsistent.