Citation

Madeleine P, Hoej BP, Fernandez-de-Las-Peñas C, Rathleff MS, Kaalund S. J. Orthop. Sports Phys. Ther. 2014; 44(8): 587-594.

Affiliation

Physical Activity and Human Performance Group, Center for Sensory-Motor Interaction, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Orthopaedic Section and Sports Physical Therapy Section of the American Physical Therapy Association)

DOI

10.2519/jospt.2014.5117

PMID

25029914

Abstract

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled single-blind intervention trial.

OBJECTIVES: Shock-absorbing insoles (SAIs), compared with usual insoles, were hypothesized to result in larger increases in pressure pain threshold (PPT) after 3 weeks of use.

BACKGROUND: Shock-absorbing insoles can decrease self-reported pain among young soccer players training on artificial turf. However, nothing is known about the underlying changes in pain sensitivity assessed by PPT.

METHODS Seventy-five players were included from the youth teams of under 15, under 17, and under 19 years of age, playing for the Aalborg Boldspilklub (AaB) professional sports club. After a randomization stratified by team and age, players were divided into 2 groups, one that received SAIs and a control group that used their usual insoles. Assessments were made in both groups after 3 weeks of training on artificial turf (baseline) and 3 weeks later (follow-up). The primary outcome was change in PPTs from baseline to follow-up, with PPTs measured over 13 locations on the plantar surface of the foot, leg, and low back of the nonpreferred kicking leg.

RESULTS: A significantly larger increase was found in PPTs from baseline to follow-up for the SAI group compared with the control group (mean difference, 62 kPa; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 40, 85 kPa). The PPTs increased significantly more among the SAI group compared with the control group (P<.05) for the abductor digiti minimi (mean difference, 82 kPa; 95% CI: 6, 157 kPa), tibialis anterior (mean difference, 125 kPa; 95% CI: 20, 230 kPa), medial gastrocnemius (mean difference, 83 kPa; 95% CI: -6, 171 kPa), and erector spinae (mean difference, 86 kPa; 95% CI: -17, 188 kPa).

CONCLUSION: The use of SAIs resulted in increased PPTs after 3 weeks of training on artificial turf compared with controls, suggesting a protective role of SAIs in pressure sensitivity and pain perception.

Language: en