The kinematic and kinetic effects of walking in textured foot orthoses: An investigation into normal and pathological populations

Recently, a new foot orthotic design which adds texture between the skin at the bottom of feet and the top of an orthotic has gained
academic attention. Adding this texture is intentional to activate the receptors in foot sole skin, to send this added stimulus into the spinal
cord, and target changes in muscle activity while people walk. Interestingly, although research has demonstrated a successful connection
between foot sole skin and lower leg and foot muscles, the biomechanical effects of textured foot orthotics remain to be investigated. The
purpose of this research is to grow this understanding and study the immediate changes in foot mechanics while healthy individuals walk
in different styles of textured insoles. In combining these results with our current understanding of textured insoles, we intend to study
this intervention on a clinical population and subsequently make the technology available for commercialization to the foot care industry.

Faculty Supervisor:

Stephen Perry

Student:

Partner:

Kintec Footlabs

Discipline:

Physics

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

Wilfrid Laurier University

Program: