Aluminum foot insoles reduce plantar forefoot pressure and increase foot comfort for motorcyclists

BACKGROUND: Foot pain and paresthesia are common in cycling, due to plantar pressure and repetitive loading. OBJECTIVES: The aim was to investigate the effect of foot insoles on plantar pressure of the foot in motorcycling, as well as self-reported comfort. STUDY DESIGN: A randomized crossover clinical trial. METHODS: A flexible foot pressure mat (GP MobilData WiFi® Gebiomized®) with different sizes was utilized. RESULTS: Maximum pressure values occurred predominantly in the hallux with 4.90 ± 1.19 N/cm2, followed by second and third metatarsal areas with 4.57 ± 0.73 N/cm2, followed by the first metatarsal area with 4.30 ± 0.96 N/cm2, and followed by the fourth and fifth metatarsal areas with 3.22 ± 0.89 N/cm2 when using the control foot insole and using aluminum foot insole, which reduces maximum pressure to 1.55 ± 0.34, 1.56 ± 0.75, 1.09 ± 0.43, and 1.07 ± 0.59 N/cm2, respectively ( p