A Comparison of ‘neutral’ Running Shoes on Plantar Pressure Patterns and Perceived Comfort in Athletes with a Cavus Foot Type: a Crossover, Randomized Controlled Trial

INTRODUCTION Athletes with a cavus foot structure have a higher rate of injury compared to athletes with other foot types (Cowan et al., 1993; Burns et al., 2005b). This increased risk of injury is thought to be associated with the elevated plantar pressure seen in people with a cavus foot (Burns et al., 2005a; Sneyers et al, 1995). Athletes with a cavus foot type are routinely recommended ‘neutral’ running shoes by their healthcare provider for the reduction of plantar pressure and to prevent and treat lower limb running injuries (Manoli and Graham, 2005). However, there is little empirical evidence to support the use of ‘neutral’ running shoes to reduce plantar pressures in this patient population. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of two commonly recommended ‘neutral’ running shoes on in-shoe plantar pressure distribution and footwear comfort during overground running.