Evidence-based journal watch
- University of Cape Town, South Africa
In a randomised, controlled, clinical trial, running shoe assignment according to plantar arch did not influence injury risk in military recruits undergoing 12 weeks training even after considering other injury risk factors
Running shoe manufacturers designed and marketed running shoes according to motion control, stability and cushioning – the practice is to assign shoes according to plantar shapes (low, normal and high) and this is done in order to reduce the risk of injuries.
Does the practice of assigning running shoes according to plantar shape reduce the risk of injury during Marine Corps basic training?
▶ Subjects: 1411 Marine Corps recruits.
▶ Experimental procedure: All the subjects were assessed (including a questionnaire and foot examinations to determine plantar shape (low, medium or high arches)). Subjects were then randomly assigned to either (1) a group that was provided with motion control, stability or cushioned shoes depending on plantar shape (experimental (EXP) group, males=408, females=314) or (2) a control group (CON group, males=432, females=257) that received …