Abstract
Background: The purpose of this research is to examine the changes in toe in/out during an 800-m run in runners who pronate with low arches when wearing motion control, stability and cushion shoes. Subjects: 12 female recreational runners between 22 and 42 years of age Outcome Measures: The GAITRite system was used to obtain toe in/out, velocity, stride length, and step length. Results: The average age, weight, height, and heart rate of the 12 subjects were 29.4(±6.3) years, 132.8(±13.7) pounds, 60.9(±6.6) inches, and 69(±9.5) beats per minute (bpm), respectively. The average great toe extension, navicular drop test, and Arch Height Index (A HI) of the subject's left foot were 86.3(± 11.6) degrees, 1.2(±0.2) cm, and 0.284(±0.008), and for their right foot were 87.75(±8.3) degrees, 1.3(±0.3) cm, and 0.292(±0.0 18), respectively. No significant difference was found between the participants when comparing shoe type to velocity, step length, stride length or toe in/out (p=0.914). Conclusion: Although no significant difference was found in toe in/out while running in motion control, stability and cushion shoes, with examination of the mean toe in/out it appears motion control shoes lead to an increase in toe out bilaterally. However, due to the small participant size this change was not statistically significant. To confirm the association between shoe type and toe in/out, further research would be needed which incorporated a larger subject pool and shoes that have been broken in.