Therapeutic efficiency and biomechanical effects of sport insoles in female runners

Introduction Orthopaedic insoles are used in sports medicine practice to treat overuse injuries although clinical evidence is still lacking. There are only few randomized controlled trials with male cohorts available [1]. Moreover, biomechanical effects of insoles remain unclear. Besides mechanical effects ("alignment of the skeleton"), sensorimotor effects are discussed suggesting an influence on neuromuscular control mechanisms by altering afferent input [2]. The purpose was therefore twofold: 1. To analyze the clinical efficiency of an insole intervention in female runners with overuse complaints, 2. To assess possible neuromuscular adaptation mechanisms by wearing insoles.