Abstract Summary
A new energy storage and return insole has been developed with the goal of reducing musculoskeletal injuries by decreasing impact loads at heel strike while also assisting gait by releasing stored elastic energy during toe off. This pilot study analysed a single subject walking on an instrumented treadmill with and without the insole while unloaded and loaded with an 18 kg pack. The results showed the insole did help attenuate the peak vertical ground reaction force at heel strike but also reduced the peak propulsive anteroposterior force at toe off. Thus, there appears to be biomechanical trade-offs with the new insole.
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