The effect of textured insoles on postural control in double and single limb stance.
BACKGROUND
Increased plantar cutaneous afferent information may improve postural control.


OBJECTIVE
To compare postural control measures between balance conditions with and without textured insoles.


METHODS
crossover trial.


METHODS
Research Laboratory.


METHODS
33 healthy subjects (27.4 +/- 9.1 yrs, 172.6 +/- 10.3 cm, 75.4 +/- 16.4 kg).


METHODS
Subjects performed 24, 10-second bipedal and unilateral stance balance trials with eyes opened and eyes closed, with and without a textured insole in subjects' shoes.


METHODS
Average velocity and area of center of pressure (COP) excursions.


RESULTS
We observed an interaction among balance conditions during bilateral stance, but not during unilateral stance. On average, subjects exhibited greater area and velocity of COP excursions with eyes closed compared to eyes opened. Significant differences in area and velocity of COP excursions were observed during bilateral stance only when subjects were not wearing textured insoles. There were no significant differences while subjects balanced in bilateral stance with textured insoles.


CONCLUSIONS
Increased afferent information from textured insoles improves postural control in bilateral stance.
Corbin
Dawn M
DM
Floyd Sports Medicine, Rome, GA, USA.
Hart
Joseph M
JM
McKeon
Patrick O
PO
Palmieri-Smith
Riann
R
Ingersoll
Christopher D
CD
Hertel
Jay
J
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D012775:Shoes