Foot orthoses do not affect crank power output during maximal exercise on a cycle-ergometer.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of custom-made foot orthoses on the torque- and power-cadence relationships and perceived comfort during maximal cycling exercises in a population of competitive road cyclists. DESIGN: Randomised, repeated measures, participant-blinded controlled study. METHODS: Twenty-four competitive road cyclists (22 males, 2 females; aged 18-53 years) with mobile feet performed the torque-velocity test with custom-made and sham foot orthoses. For both conditions, the maximal power, optimal cadence, optimal torque, maximal torque, and maximal cadence were extracted from the individual torque- and power-cadence relationships. Comfort was assessed on a 150mm visual analogue scale. Paired-samples t-tests were used for comparison of means between conditions. RESULTS: No differences were observed between the custom-made and sham foot orthoses for any of the key variables extracted: maximal power (1022±180 vs. 1020±172W; p=0.794), optimal cadence (118±10 vs. 119±9rpm; p=0.682), optimal torque (82±10 vs. 82±11Nm; p=0.559), maximal torque (157±23 vs. 159±20 Nm; p=0.665) and maximal cadence (220±22 vs. 221±20rpm; p=0.935). There was no difference in comfort between custom-made and sham foot orthoses (106±30.5 vs. 116±25.0mm; p=0.995). CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the sham foot orthoses, the custom-made foot orthoses did not significantly affect the torque and power generating capacities or comfort during a maximal exercise performed on a stationary cycle ergometer.

The effect of foot orthoses and in-shoe wedges during cycling: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The use of foot orthoses and in-shoe wedges in cycling are largely based on theoretical benefits and anecdotal evidence. This review aimed to systematically collect all published research on this topic, critically evaluate the methods and summarise the findings. METHODS: STUDY INCLUSION CRITERIA WERE: all empirical studies that evaluated the effects of foot orthoses or in-shoe wedges on cycling; outcome measures that investigated physiological parameters, kinematics and kinetics of the lower limb, and power; and, published in English. Studies were located by data-base searching (Medline, CINAHL, Embase and SPORTDiscus) and hand-searching in February 2014. Selected studies were assessed for methodological quality using a modified Quality Index. Data were synthesised descriptively. Meta-analysis was not performed as the included studies were not sufficiently homogeneous to provide a meaningful summary. RESULTS: Six studies were identified as meeting the eligibility criteria. All studies were laboratory-based and used a repeated measures design. The quality of the studies varied, with Quality Index scores ranging from 7 to 10 out of 14. Five studies investigated foot orthoses and one studied in-shoe wedges. Foot orthoses were found to increase contact area in the midfoot, peak pressures under the hallux and were perceived to provide better arch support, compared to a control. With respect to physiological parameters, contrasting findings have been reported regarding the effect foot orthoses have on oxygen consumption. Further, foot orthoses have been shown to not provide effects on lower limb kinematics and perceived comfort. Both foot orthoses and in-shoe wedges have been shown to provide no effect on power. CONCLUSION: In general, there is limited high-quality research on the effects foot orthoses and in-shoe wedges provide during cycling. At present, there is some evidence that during cycling foot orthoses: increase contact area under the foot and increase plantar pressures under the hallux, but provide no gains in power. Based on available evidence, no definitive conclusions can be made about the effects foot orthoses have on lower limb kinematics and oxygen consumption, and the effect in-shoe wedges have on power during cycling. Future well-designed studies on this topic are warranted.