Effect of Arch Pads on Ankle Joint Motion during the Stance Phases of Walking and Running

Abstract

[Purpose] Excessive pronation of the subtalar joint while walking or running is the most frequent cause of injury to lower limb joints. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of an arch pad on changes of three-dimensional (3D) ankle joint kinematics while walking and running at three different treadmill speeds (5, 7, and 10 km/h). [Subjects] Nine healthy male students with no history of lower-extremity injury were chosen as subjects in this study. [Methods] Walking (5 km/h) and running (7 km/h and 10 km/h) on a treadmill with and without medial arch pads in the shoes were analyzed using a Vicon-MX 10 camera motion-capture system. [Results] Medial arch pads were found to be effective for foot eversion at all treadmill speeds. Additionally, the interaction between shoe conditions and gait speeds on eversion angle was significant. [Conclusion] It is important to choose an arch pad with an appropriate size and construction to reduce pain and to prevent running injuries.