Aluminum foot insoles reduce plantar forefoot pressure and increase foot comfort for motorcyclists.

BACKGROUND: Foot pain and paresthesia are common in cycling, due to plantar pressure and repetitive loading.

OBJECTIVES: The aim was to investigate the effect of foot insoles on plantar pressure of the foot in motorcycling, as well as self-reported comfort.

STUDY DESIGN: A randomized crossover clinical trial.

METHODS: A flexible foot pressure mat (GP MobilData WiFi® Gebiomized®) with different sizes was utilized.

RESULTS: Maximum pressure values occurred predominantly in the hallux with 4.90 ± 1.19 N/cm2 , followed by second and third metatarsal areas with 4.57 ± 0.73 N/cm2 , followed by the first metatarsal area with 4.30 ± 0.96 N/cm2 , and followed by the fourth and fifth metatarsal areas with 3.22 ± 0.89 N/cm2 when using the control foot insole and using aluminum foot insole, which reduces maximum pressure to 1.55 ± 0.34, 1.56 ± 0.75, 1.09 ± 0.43, and 1.07 ± 0.59 N/cm2 , respectively ( p < 0.001), with an effect size of 3.828, 4.067, 4.315, and 2.847, respectively.

CONCLUSION: The use of an aluminum foot insole significantly reduced maximum pressure during motorcycling. Clinical relevance In this study, an aluminum insole in a motorcycling boot was shown to decrease maximum pressure on the foot. Comfort was significantly higher than that from ethylene vinyl acetate or commercial boot inserts. This increased comfort and decreased pressure should result in increased safety and control for motorcyclists.