Effects of five-toed socks with multiple rubber bits on the foot sole on static postural control in healthy young adults

• Main Authors: Junji Shinohara, Philip Gribble
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japanese Society of Physical Fitness and Sports Medicine 2013-04-01
• Series: Journal of Physical Fitness and Sports Medicine
• Subjects: footwear; balance; sensory feedback
• Online Access: https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jpfsm/2/1/2_135/_pdf/-char/en
• ISSN: 2186-8131; 2186-8123

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of five-toed socks with multiple rubber bits on the foot sole in influencing static postural control among healthy young adults. Twenty six healthy young adults were asked to complete three testing sessions to measure static postural control under three sock conditions: wearing five-toed socks with multiple rubber bits on the foot sole (FS), wearing regular socks (RS), and wearing no socks (NS). For each sock condition, static postural control was assessed on a force plate with the subject in a single-limb stance with eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC). The subjects were instructed to stand on the dominant limb as still as possible for 15 seconds. Center of Pressure Velocity (COPV) was calculated in anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) directions. The dependent COPV variables were calculated in AP and ML separately for EO and EC trials. The independent variable was sock condition (FS, RS and NS). For each dependent variable, a one-way repeated measures ANOVA was performed, with Sidak post hoc analyses. During EO trials in AP direction, the FS condition (0.53±0.15 cm/second) had a significantly slower COPV value than the RS condition (0.59±0.21 cm/second). During EO trials in ML direction, there was a trend that the FS condition (0.60±0.16 cm/second) had a slower COPV value than the RS (0.67±0.21 cm/second) condition. No significant relationship was observed during EC trials in either AP or ML directions. These results indicate that, during EO trials, the FS condition was associated with increased static postural stability when compared to the RS condition.