The effect of foot orthotic use on exercise related leg pain in cross country athletes

ObjectivesThe purposes of this research were to (1) investigate the effect of foot orthotic use on exercise related leg pain (ERLP) in cross-country (XC) athletes, and (2) determine if an association between foot type and foot orthotic use exists.DesignProspective cohort design.SettingHigh schools and colleges in a Midwestern metropolitan region.Participants213 high school and college XC athletes (107 male, 106 female).Materials/MethodsParticipants were seen before the fall XC season for classification of foot type, visual orthotic inspection, and questionnaire completion regarding foot orthotic use and ERLP. Statistical analysis of relationships (chi-square) was conducted.Results37 of the 213 XC athletes (17.4%) used foot orthotics; 31 of the 37 athletes using foot orthotics (83.8%) reported a history of ERLP. Of these 31 athletes, 17 (54.8%) were using orthotics for ERLP and 15 reported a decrease in ERLP with orthotic use. Fourteen athletes were using orthotics for a reason other than ERLP and only 2 reported a decrease in ERLP with orthotic use. Athletes using orthotics included all three foot types (pronated, neutral, supinated) with no relationship between orthotic use and foot type.ConclusionOne-sixth of the XC athletes used foot orthotics and most using orthotics for ERLP reported a decrease in ERLP symptoms. The majority of athletes using orthotics for reasons other than ERLP reported no change in ERLP symptoms. There was no association between foot type and orthotic use.