Orthotics and Muscle Activity in Flat-Arched Feet

Background

Various foot orthoses have been shown to alter tibialis anterior and peroneus longus electromyographic (EMG) muscle activity during walking. However, it is unclear whether these changes represent optimisation in muscle function. Therefore, two studies were conducted to determine; (i) whether people with flat-arched feet display altered muscle activity compared to those with normal-arched feet during gait and (ii) whether foot orthoses change muscle activity in people with flat-arched feet towards a pattern observed in those with normal-arched feet.

"This is an important work which assessed muscle activity in flat-footed indviduals when two interventions were made 1- heat moulded PFO and 2- Inverted CFO (20 degrees). Both orthosis types created decreased posterior tibial muscle activity in contact phase, while only the PFO caused increased activity of the peroneus longus. One may conclude that this functional difference improves first ray function, but this was not a study parameter. " - Dr Bob Eckles

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