INFLUENCE OF ARCH SUPPORT INSOLE ON PEOPLE WITH FLATFOOT DURING UPHILL AND DOWNHILL WALKING

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the arch support insole for people with flatfoot during uphill and downhill walking. Sixteen healthy collegiate students with flatfoot were recruited in this study. The heart rate, V02max, and median frequency of surface EMG were recorded and analyzed in this study. Non-parametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for statistics. The derived main results were outlined as follows: (a) V02max had significantly decreased in arch support insole compare to flat foot insole during uphill and downhill walking; (b) arch support insole could reduce the fatigue of rectus femoris muscle during downhill walking which might be associated with the decreased V02max. The integrated research results could effectively be applied to the measurement of muscle fatigue.