The use of a new biofeedback insole weight-bearing measuring device in the assessment and rehabilitation of soccer players: A case study review

Limited weight-bearing is clinically prescribed when sportspersons use crutches or canes during the process of fracture-healing or certain post-hip, knee and ankle pathologies as well as surgical procedures. The general medical prescription in these cases include instructions such as nonweight-bearing (0WB), touch-weight-bearing (TWB), partial weight-bearing (PWB) and full weight-bearing (FWB). The current methods for PWB or FWB gait training are mainly subjective and studies confirm the inability of the subjects to reproduce the required weightbearing result. Until recently, there have only existed static methods of measuring weight-bearing and distribution. These include scales ( Bohannon RW et al, 1989) and various force plate platform systems that utilize weight-bearing strain sensors (Gapis JJ et al, 1982). They are limited in their functional usage, as they cannot accurately measure weight-bearing in walking, sitting to standing and stair climbing – all basic functional daily activities. Auditory and visual biofeedback devices that are currently available to encourage increased weight-bearing have also been limited to the static weight-bearing positions. Research on these devices has been limited to weight-bearing characteristics of individuals with amputations (Chow DH, 2000), as well as in various neurological cases (Batavia et al, 2001).