Leading orthotics researcher, professor of biomechanics@ Human Performance Lab @ Univ. of Calgary,Alberta. His conclusion: orthotics may be helpful as a short-term solution, preventing injuries in athletes. But it’s not clear how to make inserts that work. The idea that they are supposed to correct mechanical-alignment problems does not hold up. The work of THE GAIT GUYS, hopes to offer some insight.
Ivo Waerlop A potential riff in the article (Via Stu Currie):1) Primates only have a transverse arch – they are flat in the longitudinal direction.
2) In primates the metatarsal bases are on the same plane as the metatarsal heads.
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3) The length of the phalanges is 18% of total foot length in humans, and 35% in chimps.
4) Australopithecus afarensis (Lucy) has the beginning features of a longitudinal arch, while retaining many characteristics of the ape foot. The same can be said for other hominid ancestors (H. Habilus)See MoreJanuary 20 at 7:51am · LikeUnlike
Ivo Waerlop We have always said that orthotics serve as a therapy, not a solution. Your prescription should be getting better (lessening) or more correction taken out with time, not becoming greater. They are an excellent tool, but not a substitue for good mechanics.
