Effectiveness of Custom Foot Insoles to Decrease Plantar Pressure: A Cross-over Randomized Trial Study

Abstract

[Abstract] Motorsport requires a high physical demand in the development of different body positions. To obtain the maximum efficiency in elite and amateur motorcycling depends on a good biomechanical performance [1,2]. Furthermore, a rider, a motorcycle, and tires integrated with the environment are required to realize the best performance by the rider [3]. To improve moto rider performance on a speed track with multiples turns, riders require accuracy in the dynamics of the motorcycle fitting the Center of Mass (CoM) in load transfer, turning, breaking, speed, and steering changes on the footpeg [4]. There are scant research data about the influence of the foot posture on the footpeg in driving motorcycle development. A moto rider questionnaire was carried out to analyze the discomfort riding on a motorcycle and most of the surveyed riders commented that despite that the foot pain reduced their performance, they could keep riding the motorcycle [5]. Riders have postural and biomechanical variations on the motorcycle when they rest their feet on the footpeg, causing an alteration in the ankle muscles [6], as well as modifications of the sensory information from the hip and knee joint of the leg that supports more force on the footpeg [7]. Scientific literature has shown the influence of different hardness of insoles in the plantar pressure distribution in the motorcycle feet, concluding that the use of hard insoles with aluminum in metatarsal heads decreases forefoot plantar pressure and is more comfortable [8]. On the other hand, recent scientific studies about moto rider musculoskeletal activity in lower limbs and riding on an elite Supersport moto simulator concluded that the use of harder insoles decreased the electromyographic peak activity patterns in all the thigh and hip muscle and all the lower limb muscle except the fibularis longus, due to contact of the knee with the ground in the curve step [9,10]. Recent studies have demonstrated the usefulness of the baropodometric platform to diagnose several diseases on plantar pressure [11–14]. Feet are essential in the stability and propulsion of the human being [15]. The main foot function in the human body is to transfer body weight, in static and dynamic positions, generating stability and flexibility [16]. Biomechanically, feet are used for posture maintenance and symmetrical distribution of plantar pressure responsible [17–19]. The purpose of this research was to analyze the load and distribution variation of the plantar pressures in moto riders using different hardness of insoles after riding on a speed circuit.