Article

Rocker profile shoes (rocker shoes) are one of the treatment options of
metatarsalgia and forefoot stress fractures. The efficacy of rocker shoes in
unloading the forefoot pressure has been shown in walking. In running, however,
the effect of rocker shoes on forefoot pressure is unknown. Eighteen healthy
female runners participated in this study. In-shoe plantar pressures were
recorded during running with the standard running shoes and rocker shoes. Shoe
comfort was assessed after each shoe measurement. Peak pressure (PP), maximum
mean pressure (MMP) and force-time integral (FTI) were determined for seven foot
areas. The effects of shoes on the different outcome variables were statistically
analyzed using a linear mixed model. Running with the rocker shoes caused a
significant reduction (p<0.001) in all pressure parameters in the central and
lateral forefoot. FTI and MMP were also reduced by 11% and 12% in the medial
forefoot while running with rocker shoes. Running with rocker shoes resulted in a
significant increase in all pressure parameters at the heel region (p<0.001).
Running with rocker shoes received a significant (p<0.01) lower comfort rate than
running with standard running shoes. Rocker shoes might be beneficial for runners
who are recovering from metatarsalgia or stress fractures of the forefoot region,
as it reduces plantar pressure in the forefoot region.
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