Effect of foot orthotics on the initiation of plantar surface loading

The purpose of this study is to look at the initiation of planter surface loading of the foot with two types of foot orthoses. Ten healthy volunteers between the ages of 23 and 43 years participated in the study. Two foot orthoses were provided to each subject. One pair was rigid with forefoot and rearfoot wedging applied. The second pair was a soft accommodative foot orthosis. Each subject walked along a 12 m walkway with the EMED PEDAR (NOVEL, Minneapolis, USA) insole placed inside their shoes for 10 consecutive walking trials. The planter surface of the foot was divided into seven different areas and the time of initiation of loading for each area was found. The result of an ANOVA revealed that the medial forefoot was loaded significantly earlier with the rigid orthosis compared to the other conditions. No difference was seen in the initiation of loading of the soft orthosis compared to the others.