Effects of orthotic intervention and 9 holes of simulated golf on club head velocity in experienced golfers

Abstract

I read with interest the recent article by Kuhn et al 1 Kuhn DR Shibley NJ Austin WM Yochum TR Radiographic evaluation of weight-bearing orthotics and their effect on flexible pes planus. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1999; 22: 2221-2226 Google Scholar in which they demonstrated that “custom-made flexible orthotics” improved weight-bearing alignment in the foot by producing positive changes in the talocalcaneal and lateral pitch angles (as measured with anteroposterior and lateral radiographs). More recently, Stude et al 2 Stude DE Gullickson J Effects of orthotic intervention and nine holes of simulated golf on club-head velocity in experienced golfers. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2000; 23: 168-174 Google Scholar demonstrated that “soft custom-made orthotics” produced a measurable improvement in how far experienced golfers could hit simulated drives. Although these are important studies with important implications, I am curious to know how the orthotics used in the two studies were actually manufactured. Inasmuch as there are many techniques involved in the production of foot orthoses, it is important that the reader understand the exact manufacturing technique incorporated, because a true custom orthotic is produced by making a positive model (usually out of plaster) from a negative impression taken in the practitioner's office. This impression is then modified to allow soft tissue expansion, permit motion control (in various people), and/or distribute pressure with a variety of different balancing techniques. This is a labor-intensive proposition, which explains the high laboratory fees associated with custom orthotics. On the other hand, a stock orthotic is not molded to a positive mold and is typically taken off the shelf on the basis of measurements taken from a foot impression or the patient's shoe size. These orthotics are relatively easy to produce and are much more affordable.