Effect of Textured Foot Orthoses on the Ground Reaction Force Components in the Older Adults During Walking

With aging, the pattern of walking is altered, and the person’s ability to walk will be decreased. Also, with the beginning of the aging process, the coordination of the postural control system was disturbed and lead to an unstable condition. A small biomechanical change in the lower limb is significant on postural control. The use of textured foot orthoses leads to improved efficiency and increased comfort. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of textured foot orthoses on ground reaction force components in older adults during walking.

The present study was of a semi-experimental and laboratory type. Twenty-one older adults with available sampling were volunteered to participate in this study. Ground reaction force data were recorded by the Beretc force plates (Beretc CorporationColumbus, OH) during walking without foot orthoses, walking with small and large textured foot orthoses. ANOVA test with repeated measures was used for statistical analysis. All analyzes were performed at the significance level of 0.05.

The results showed a lower peak posterior force amplitude during the heel contact phase while walking with small textured foot orthoses than that walking without foot orthoses (P = 0.003). Time to the peak of vertical force during the heel contact phase was decreased while walking with large textured foot orthoses compared with walking without foot orthoses condition (P = 0.048). Also, time to peak of lateral force during the heel contact phase was increased while walking with small textured foot orthoses compared with walking without foot orthoses condition (P = 0.021).

Using small textured foot orthoses compared to the large textured ones improved most of the ground reaction of elders. However, both small and sizeable textured foot orthoses were not useful on torsion stresses on the body.