Abstract
Background: Over-supination processes of the foot and ankle involving peroneus longus (PL) damage during running sports have been treated conservatively with passive control tools, such as tapes, braces, or external ankle supports, but the effect of orthoses with typical lateral wedging orthoses (TLWO) on the muscular activity of PL during running remains unclear. Here we investigate the effects of innovative medial cushioning orthoses (IMCO) on PL activity during the full running gait cycle. In addition, we wished to ascertain the effects of innovative medial cushioning orthoses (IMCO) on PL activity during running. Methods: Thirty-one healthy recreational runners (mean age 34.5 ± 3.33) with neutral foot posture index scores, were selected to participate in the present study. They ran on a treadmill at 9 km/h wearing seven different orthoses (NRS, IMCO 3 mm, IMCO 6 mm, IMCO 9 mm, TLWO 3 mm, TLWO 6 mm and TLWO 9 mm), randomly performed on the same day while electromyographic activity of the PL muscle was recorded. Statistical intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) to test reliability was carried out and the Wilcoxon test with Bonferroni’s correction was developed to analyze the differences between the conditions. Results: the reliability of all assessments showed data higher than 0.81, that is, “almost perfect reliability”; all EMG PL values wearing either TLWO or IMCO showed a statistically significant reduction versus NRS during the fully analyzed running gait cycle; the highest difference was set on NRS 23.08 ± 6.67 to TLWO 9 mm 17.77 ± 4.794 (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Muscular EMG activity of the PL during the full running gait cycle decreases when wearing either TLWO or IMCO relative to NRS; therefore, these orthoses could be prescribed to treat the strain and overload pathologies of PL. In addition, IMCO—as it less thick, compared with TLWO—can be used when aiming to achieve better running economy.
Highlights
Introduction iationsLateral ankle sprains and peroneal tendon disorders are common pathologies among recreational runners [1]
Fifty-six subjects were asked to participate in the experiment and assessed for eligibility; twenty participants did not meet the requirements of inclusion criteria, and five were lost participants; 31 participants
Regarding comparisons between innovative medial cushioned orthotic (IMCO) vs. typical lateral wedging orthoses (TLWO), we found that the alleviating effects on muscular peroneus longus (PL) activity were essentially the same compared with neutral running shoes (NRS) with the advantage that IMCO density and size were less than TLWO, which supposes a wishing condition to running economy, according to Ray et al [38]
Summary
Lateral ankle sprains and peroneal tendon disorders are common pathologies among recreational runners [1]. The lateral ligament complex and peroneus apparatus contribute to countering the normal supination moments in the first phase of the human gait [2], named the heel contact phase. There are multiple conservative interventions to treat lateral ligament ankle disorders, depending on the ankle sprain level and phase of its evolution [3]: compression, ice, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, elevation and rest are prescribed to avoid swelling and to reduce the pain in the first inflammation phase; during the second proliferation phase, motion rehabilitation to recover the normal range of motion; and in the third phase, neuromodulation and strengthening to reach the normal level of sport competition or daily activity [4]. Plantar foot orthoses have not been considered as part of the efforts to quickly improve these ligament issues
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