The Effect of Long-Term Use of Motion Control Shoes on the Ground Reaction Force Components during Running in Runners with Excessive Pronated Feet

Introduction: Most of the functional disorders in the foot are created by changes in the arch of the foot. The motion control shoes are designed to control the excessive rear foot motions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of long-term use of motion control shoe on the ground reaction force components in individuals with functional pronated feet during running. Methods: The present study was a semi-experimental and laboratory type. The statistical society of the present study includes runners with pronated feet in Ardabil city. The available sampling sample was used in the present study. 30 male runners with pronated feet were randomized into experimental and control groups. The Bertec Force plate was used to record ground reaction forces. Control group used control shoes (Supernova control, Adidas) and experimental group used the motion control shoes (Supernovacushion, Adidas) during 5 months in their training sessions. Two-way ANOVA with a significance level of P>0.05 was used for statistical analysis. Results: The findings of the experimental group demonstrated significant increase in peak medio-lateral ground reaction force during push off phase (P=0.022; d=0.86) and the time to peak of vertical ground reaction force during heel contact phase (P = 0.013; d=1.05) in post-test compared with pre-test. Also, the vertical loading rate showed a significant reduction in post-test than that in the pre-test (P=0.109; d=0.43). Other ground reaction force components in three directions, their time to peak, center of presser and the free moment showed no significant difference during the post-test compared to the pre-test (P>0.05). Conclusion: Because of reduction in loading rate after long term use of motion control shoe, it could be said that this shoe is beneficial in reduction of lower limb injury risk factors such as stress fracture.