Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology
Immediate effects of dynamic- and static-based custom insoles on structural alignment, pressure distribution and subjective comfort in paediatric flexible flatfoot
By Luk SH, Yick KL, Ho CP and 1 others.
Abstract
Background
Customised insoles for paediatric flexible flatfoot are typically designed using static foot postures, which may fail to reflect the dynamic mechanical demands of gait. This study explored an alternative method, evaluating whether dynamically modelled insoles, captured during active locomotion, can effectively provide optimized kinematic control and plantar load distribution while maintaining ergonomic comfort as compared to traditional static designs.
Methods
Two insoles were customised for 15 children (8-10 years) with flexible flatfeet: a static-based insole (SI), modelled during seated great toe dorsiflexion, and a dynamic-based insole (DI), modelled from the active arch profile during walking. Assessments included geometric characteristics (arch height and medial longitudinal arch [MLA] angle), rearfoot angle (RFA), peak plantar pressure (PPP), and subjective ergonomic comfort.