Effect of Customised Insoles on Performance in Athletes
Abstract views: 51
/ 
PDF downloads: 21
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15763021Keywords:
Custom insoles, Athletic performance, Foot biomechanics, Plantar pressureAbstract
This review study examined the effects of custom insoles on physical performance parameters in athletes. Insoles are customized according to the individual's foot morphology and biomechanical requirements to optimise plantar pressure distribution, improve lower extremity alignment, and reduce the load on the musculoskeletal system. The literature indicates that they have positive effects, particularly on sprinting, jumping, balance, and agility performance, and that they support energy efficiency and proprioceptive feedback mechanisms. Additionally, it has been reported that custom insoles have a protective effect against plantar stress and fatigue during prolonged activity, thereby enhancing performance sustainability. However, it is emphasised that they may not produce the same results in every individual and that insole design must be tailored to individual needs. Based on current findings, customised insoles are considered an effective orthotic intervention tool for improving sports performance and reducing the risk of injury. Future studies are recommended to examine the effects in more detail across different sports disciplines, surface conditions, and long-term use.
References
Beattie, K., Kenny, I. C., Lyons, M., & Carson, B. P. (2014). The effect of strength training on performance in endurance athletes. Sports Medicine, 44(6), 845–865. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-014-0157-y
Braga, U. M., Mendonça, L. D., Mascarenhas, R. O., Alves, C. O. A., Filho, R. G. T., & Resende, R. A. (2019). Effects of medially wedged insoles on the biomechanics of the lower limbs of runners with excessive foot pronation and foot varus alignment. Gait & Posture, 74, 242–249. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2019.09.023
Bukowska, J. M., Jekiełek, M., Kruczkowski, D., Ambroży, T., & Jaszczur-Nowicki, J. (2021). Biomechanical aspects of the foot arch, body balance and body weight composition of boys training football. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(9), 5017. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18095017
Crabtree, P., Dhokia, V. G., Newman, S. T., & Ansell, M. P. (2009). Manufacturing methodology for personalised symptom-specific sports insoles. Robotics and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing, 25(6), 972–979. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rcim.2009.04.016
Crago, D., Bishop, C., & Arnold, J. B. (2019). The effect of foot orthoses and insoles on running economy and performance in distance runners: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Sports Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2019.1651582
Gerych, D., Tvrznik, A., Prokesova, E., Nemeckova, Z., & Jelen, K. (2013). Analysis of peak pressure, maximal force, and contact area changes during walking and running with conventional and shock-absorbing insoles in the combat boots of the Czech Army. Journal of Mechanics in Medicine and Biology, 13(2), 1350042. https://doi.org/10.1142/S0219519413500425
Gregory, R. W., Axtell, R. S., Robertson, M. I., & Lunn, W. R. (2018). The effects of a carbon fiber shoe insole on athletic performance in collegiate athletes. Journal of Sports Science, 6, 219–230. https://doi.org/10.17265/2332-7839/2018.04.001
Hirschmüller, A., Baur, H., Müller, S., Helwig, P., Dickhuth, H. H., & Mayer, F. (2011). Clinical effectiveness of customised sport shoe orthoses for overuse injuries in runners: A randomised controlled study.British Journal of Sports Medicine, 45(12), 959–965. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.2008.055830
Hollander, K., Zech, A., Rahlf, A. L., et al. (2019). The relationship between static and dynamic foot posture and running biomechanics: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Gait & Posture, 72, 109–122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2019.05.031
Hrysomallis, C. (2011). Balance ability and athletic performance. Sports Medicine, 41(3), 221–232. https://doi.org/10.2165/11538560-000000000-00000
Hsu, C.-Y., Wang, C.-S., Lin, K.-W., Chien, M.-J., Wei, S.-H., & Chen, C.-S. (2022). Biomechanical analysis of the flatfoot with different 3D-printed insoles on the lower extremities. Bioengineering, 9(10), 563. https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9100563
Ibrahim, S., Djurtoft, C., Mellor, R., Thorborg, K., & Lysdal, F. G. (2024). The effectiveness of customised 3D-printed insoles on perceived pain, comfort, and completion time among frequent Park Runners: The ZOLES RCT. The Foot, 58, 102068. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foot.2024.102068
Lockie, R. G., Murphy, A. J., Schultz, A. B., Knight, T. J., & Janse de Jonge, X. A. K. (2012). The effects of different speed training protocols on sprint acceleration kinematics and muscle strength and power in field sport athletes. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 26(6), 1539–1550. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e318234eb6f
Lucas-Cuevas, A. G., Camacho-García, A., Llinares, R., Priego Quesada, J. I., Llana-Belloch, S., & Pérez-Soriano, P. (2017). Influence of custom-made and prefabricated insoles before and after an intense run. PLOS ONE, 12(2), e0173179. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0173179
Lucas-Cuevas, A. G., Pérez-Soriano, P., Llana-Belloch, S., Macián-Romero, C., & Sánchez-Zuriaga, D. (2014). Effect of custom-made and prefabricated insoles on plantar loading parameters during running with and without fatigue. Journal of Sports Sciences, 32(18), 1712–1721. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2014.915422
Meng, Y., Yang, L., Jiang, X., Bíró, I., & Gu, Y. (2020). The effectiveness of personalized custom insoles on foot loading redistribution during walking and running. Journal of Biomimetics, Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, 44, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/JBBBE.44.1
Miranda, D. L., Hsu, W. H., Gravelle, D. C., Petersen, K., Ryzman, R., Niemi, J., & Lesniewski-Laas, N. (2016). Sensory enhancing insoles improve athletic performance during a hexagonal agility task. Journal of Biomechanics, 49(6), 1058–1063. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2016.02.022
Negra, Y., Chaabene, H., Hammami, M., Amara, S., Sammoud, S., Mkaouer, B., & Hachana, Y. (2017). Agility in young athletes: Is it a different ability from speed and power? Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 31(3), 727–735. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000001524
Rodgers, M. M. (1995). Dynamic foot biomechanics. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 21(6), 306–316. https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.1995.21.6.306
Salles, A. S., Gyi, D. E., & Forrester, S. E. (2011). Evaluation of the short and medium term use of insoles for personalised footwear. Footwear Science, 3(S1), S144–S145.
Sekulic, D., Spasic, M., Mirkov, D., Cavar, M., & Sattler, T. (2013). Gender-specific influences of balance, speed, and power on agility performance. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 27(3), 802–811. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e31825c2cc9
Shaw, K. E., Charlton, J. M., Perry, C. K. L., de Vries, C. M., Redekopp, M. J., White, J. A., & Hunt, M. A. (2018). The effects of shoe-worn insoles on gait biomechanics in people with knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 52(4), 238–253. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2016-097108
Siegel, S. D., Sproll, M., & Zech, A. (2025). Acute effects of footwear and surface condition on sport specific performance in athletes. Scientific Reports, 15(6969). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-91515-w
Snyder, R. A., DeAngelis, J. P., Koester, M. C., Spindler, K. P., & Dunn, W. R. (2009). Does shoe insole modification prevent stress fractures? A systematic review. HSS Journal, 5(2), 92–98. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11420-009-9114-y
Suchomel, T. J., Nimphius, S., & Stone, M. H. (2016). The importance of muscular strength in athletic performance. Sports Medicine, 46(10), 1419–1449.https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-016-0486-0
Windsor, J., Jeffries, J., Sorensen, J., et al. (2022). A retrospective study of foot biomechanics and injury history in varsity football athletes at the U.S. Naval Academy. Military Medicine, 187(5–6), 684–691. https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usab370
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 International Journal of Holistic Health, Sports and Recreation
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
