Investigating the Effects of Long-Term Use of Motion Control Shoes on the Frequency Spectrum of Ground Reaction Force during Running in the Runners with Pronated Feet

Various factors can affect athletes’ performance one of which is over pronation of the foot. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of long-term use of motion control shoes on the frequency spectrum of ground reaction force during running in runners with pronated feet.

The current study was a semi-experimental and laboratory investigation. The sample consisted of 30 male runners with pronated foot who were divided into experimental and control groups. The Bertec force plate was used to record ground reaction forces. Control group used normal shoes (Supernova control, Adidas) and experimental group used the motion control shoes (Supernovacushion, Adidas) during five months in their training sessions. Non-parametric Wilcoxon test was used for statistical analysis at the significance level of 0.05.

The results of the experimental group showed that the frequency component with a power of 99.5% in vertical direction during the post-test compared with the pre-test was significantly decreased (P=0.023). In the medio-latral direction, the frequency band component during the post-test showed a significant increase compared to the pre-test (P=0.041).Other components of the frequency spectrum of ground reaction forces have no significant difference in the experimental group (P<0.05).

Regarding the results, it can be argued that long-term use of motion control shoes can help maintain lower limb stability and balance in runners, as well as improve performance in them. Also, the frequency band showed a significant increase, which increased the pain in motor components and connective tissues, and this increase could be due to the increase in using these components in motion. Therefore, it can be described as a negative effect on the long-term use of motion control shoes.