Open AccessAcute effect of foot orthotics on drag area and perceived comfort in cyclists affected by an anatomic asymmetry in time trial position
Author(s) -
Anthony Bouillod,
Marc Retali,
Georges Soto-Romero,
Emmanuel Brunet,
Maxim Frémeaux,
Johan Cassirame,
Jacky Maillot,
Frédéric Grappe
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of science and cycling
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2254-7053
DOI - 10.28985/0620.jsc.01
Subject(s) - orthotics , medicine , physical therapy , foot (prosody) , physical medicine and rehabilitation , orthodontics , philosophy , linguistics
The aim of this study was to analyse the acute effect of biomechanical foot orthotics on drag area (ACd) and perceived comfort in elite cyclists affected by a lower limb length inequality (LLLI) in TT position. Twenty-nine cyclists performed two discontinuous incremental exercises (before and after orthopaedic correction) using their personal TT bicycle and equipment on a 250-m indoor velodrome. The ACd was unchanged in both the test group (TG) (‑0.5%, p = 0.707) and the control group (CG) (-1.4%, p = 0.276), whereas the perceived comfort was improved in the TG (+6.2%, p = 0.002) and stabilised in the CG (+0.7%, p = 0.546), after the fitting of the foot orthotics. Pelvis movements were decreased (small effect size) in the TG (-6.2%, p = 0.093, ES = 0.251), whereas they were increased (small effect size) in the CG (+5.2%, p= 0.159, ES = 0.215). TT position was slightly improved by compensating for a LLLI, as the ACd was stabilised and the level of comfort was improved. Thus, cyclists affected by a LLLI are recommended to compensate with foot orthotics in order to improve their level of comfort and consequently their performance in TT position.