Effects of different cushioned insoles on ankle and knee joints biomechanics during load carriage running

Abstract

Load carriage training resulted in substantial injuries among military recruits, particularly in their lower limbs and feet. This study analysed the phase-specific effects of load carriage with three different material insoles on GRF, angle, and moment of ankle and knee joints during running with military boots. Eighteen male participants were recruited for this study from a local veteran club. A two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to determine statistical effects. The vertical active peak in the ortholite insole group was significantly lower than the control (p = 0.002) and cork insoles (p = 0.002) with the unloading condition. The control group's ankle dorsiflexion moment was greater than that of the ortholite and cork insoles at zero (p = 0.001) and 15 kg load carriage (p = 0.001) (46-83% stance). The findings show that the ortholite insole and cork insole improve cushioning performance in the lower limbs and stability of military boots compared with the control insole.